City of San Antonio Launches Covid-19 Workforce Recovery Program
August 31, 2020 - San Antonio
Solutions for San Antonio’s workforce. “The City of San Antonio is committed to helping our most vulnerable residents recover from the economic effects of the pandemic, and we can do this best by providing them with training and educational opportunities, so they can get back to work quickly and benefit from a brighter career outlook,” said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg (pictured) on Monday. Photo: Jade Esteban Estrada.
By Jade Esteban Estrada - Staff Writer, San Antonio Sentinel
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- The City of San Antonio and its partners are offering free workforce training and education to residents who have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic
- The program aims to serve up to 10,000 San Antonio residents by September 2021
On Monday, the City of San Antonio announced a partnership with Workforce Solutions Alamo, Alamo Colleges, Project Quest, and other workforce development agencies to offer free workforce training and education to San Antonio residents who have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic in the industries of hospitality, food service, and retail.
This new program, which builds upon existing City workforce strategies, seeks to guide participants on a recommended pathway to gain employment or increase their earning potential. Following a skills and career assessment, participants may begin high school equivalency preparation or on-the-job training. Qualified individuals are eligible to receive stipends of $15 per hour, with a 30-hour-maximum cap or six-hour minimum per week, for time spent in an approved training program. The maximum for this stipend would be $450 per week.
“Covid-19 has deeply impacted the livelihoods of San Antonio residents,” said Mayor Ron Nirenberg, who continues to diligently provide coronavirus updates for the community alongside Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff. “The City of San Antonio is committed to helping our most vulnerable residents recover from the economic effects of the pandemic, and we can do this best by providing them with training and educational opportunities, so they can get back to work quickly and benefit from a brighter career outlook.”
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“During this unprecedented time, the City Council has recognized that we need to take unprecedented action,” said City Manager Erik Walsh. “This type of training will help residents focus on gaining new skills while ensuring they can pay their bills, take care of their families, and be in a better economic position post-Covid-19.”
If all goes according to plan, the program aims to serve up to 10,000 San Antonio residents by September 2021 with the goal of connecting them to employment in a high-demand occupation. Of these residents served, up to 80 percent will receive comprehensive wraparound support, case management, and career navigation services.
Funding for the program, an initiative of the Covid-19 Community Recovery and Resiliency Plan that was approved by San Antonio City Council in June, comes from both the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the City’s general fund.
Other program partners include Chrysalis Ministries, Family Service, Restore Education, SA Works, the City of San Antonio Department of Human Services and the Neighborhood and Housing Services Department.
Residents who are interested in learning more about the program should contact Workforce Solutions Alamo at (210) 224-HELP or visit their website.
Jade Esteban Estrada is a staff writer at the San Antonio Sentinel, where he covers public health and other citywide issues. He can be reached at jade@sasentinel.com.