December 9, 2024

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City officials to invest in workforce training for high-demand industries

City officials to invest in workforce training for high-demand industries
San Antonio city officials provided the City Council with a briefing of a request for proposal plan that will solicit education and training providers for the city’s Ready to Work program during its Nov. 6 meeting.

The overview

The city will solicit outside companies to provide training, education and case management services for the Ready to Work program, including certifications, degrees and referrals.

Erik Walsh, San Antonio city manager, said that the program will provide higher education opportunities, provide training for in-demand skills and give local employers the talent they need to get work done.

Guiding principles of Ready to Work program:

  • Seek to reduce poverty through targeted solutions for maximum impact
  • Provide high-quality training and education that’s aligned with employer needs
  • Afford residents opportunities to succeed, regardless of current circumstances
  • Build a stronger more inclusive workforce ecosystem

Michael Ramsey, director of Workforce development, said the program is designed to overcome major barriers for higher wages and long-term employment for marginalized San Antonians.

“We want to benefit those populations who have been historically underserved,” Ramsey said.

Scope of prospective services include:

  • Train RTW participants through in-house training programs
  • Determine eligibility for future and current students
  • Perform intake assessments and conduct referrals
  • Provide wraparound services
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Emergency support services
  • Training completion confirmation
  • Job placement and verification

According to city documents, over 39,000 applicants will be served through intake and initial assessment, over 28,000 participants will be enrolled in courses with subsidized tuition, emergency funding and wraparound services, such as career coaching and benefit navigation; and over 15,600 trainees will be placed in well-paid jobs in high-demand career fields.

Funding the project

The Ready to Work program is funded by a 0.125% sales tax approved by 76.96% of voters in 2020. The sales tax will end Dec. 31, 2025, and the program will sunset in 2029.

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Going forward

Solicitation for prospective partners will be sent out by the end of 2024.

Timeline:

  • RFP release date: Nov. 25
  • Pre-submittal conference: Dec. 11
  • Deadline for questions: Dec. 16
  • RFP due date: Jan. 22, 2025
  • Evaluation of RFP: Feb. 26, 2025
  • Contract negotiation deadline: March 7, 2025
  • Post-solicitation briefing: May 7, 2025
  • City Council consideration: May 22, 2025
  • Contract start date: June 2, 2025

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