The overview
According to a news release, the RTW program—which offers training and education programs for residents seeking to transition into higher-quality, better-paying careers—is facilitated through the city’s Workforce Development Office.
Originally, the program utilized four prime partnerships, with Alamo Colleges, Project QUEST, Restore Education and Workforce Solutions Alamo. With this latest approved budget, Goodwill Industries of San Antonio and Hallmark University will be added to the program as prime partners to the RTW initiative.
Totaling approximately $42.9 million, the funds will support Ready to Work programs from July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026.
Some context
As new prime partners, both organizations will provide opportunities for residents to transition into stable,well-paying positions.
According to a news release, Hallmark University will serve eligible residents in pursuing degrees and credentials in aviation, cybersecurity, business and nursing career fields. Goodwill will assist underserved residents who are earning credentials through their workforce training programs.
Additionally, the budget also includes funding for the Pay It Forward internship program, On-the-Job Training and Incumbent Worker Training, which will help companies seeking to directly train the workforce for specific vacancies that need to be filled. These additional programs plan to increase the earning capacity for more than 2,500 workers, with 1,366 new hires from the RTW participant pipeline.
The breakdown
According to city documents, funding for RTW programs is taken from an approved ⅛ cent sales tax approved by voters in November 2020.
Since the RTW programs were initiated, more than 1,100 San Antonio employers have hired RTW graduates, with nearly 600 of them becoming pledged employers within the program. According to a news release, total program expenses on per-participant training averages approximately $6,000.
The RTW budget vote marks Mayor Nirenberg’s final budget vote for a program he helped launch in 2020.
“Ready to Work is a life-changing program that tackles generational poverty head-on,” Nirenberg said. “The voter-approved program provides the opportunity for economic mobility for thousands of San Antonians and changes the economic trajectory of their families. Council’s approval of this year’s budget enables Ready to Work to continue supporting the education and reskilling of our community, while also providing local employers with high-quality talent to fill their vacancies.”
Stay tuned
As RTW moves into its fourth official year, the program has marked several major milestones, including nearly 2,300 residents placed in approved jobs. Additionally, more than 11,600 residents have enrolled in the program, with over 3,600 residents completing their training.
