Austin Hires Local

What if everything you thought you knew about manufacturing careers was completely outdated? 
 
Host Monica Magallanes welcomes Keri Westland, Chief Administrative Officer at Carr Lane Manufacturing, to discuss how modern manufacturing is creating pathways for Central Texas students. Keri, a third-generation leader who started on the assembly line at 15, now oversees ope...

In this milestone episode, former CEO Tamara Atkinson sits down with Yael Lawson, Workforce Solutions Capital Area's newly appointed Interim CEO and longtime Chief Operations Officer. With 25 years at the organization—beginning as a program specialist and rising through the ranks—Yael brings deep operational expertise and an unwavering commitment to community-centered workforce dev...

What if a university president told you to call them directly with your workforce needs and they'd build a custom program around it?

Host Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, checks in with Dr. Kristi Kirk, President and CEO ...

What does an insurance company have to do with child care and workforce development? At Texas Mutual, the answer is: more than you might expect. 
 
Host Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, welcomes Jeanette Ward, President and CEO of Texas Mutual Insurance Company. As chair of Early Matters Greater Austin and recipient of the 2023 Philanthropic Lead...

How do romantic moments, regional growth, and emerging tech like AI all intersect at your local bus stop? 

In this episode of Austin Hires Local, host Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, sits down with CapMetro President and CEO Dottie Watkins to explore the human side of public transit—from wedding proposals and workforce pipelines t...

What do lunch thieves, soft skills disasters, and a night-shift truck stop cook have to do with Texas' workforce future?

Join Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, as she interviews Chairman Bryan Daniel of the Texas Workforce...

Today Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, sits down with Travis County Commissioner Jeff Travillion from Precinct One for an inspiring conversation about workforce development and youth opportunity. Commissioner Travillion brings decades of public service experience and a deep commitment to education rooted in his background as a teacher's kid. His foc...

What do time management, mental wellness, and child care have in common? They're among the biggest hurdles facing working adults in Central Texas trying to rise out of poverty—and Capital IDEA is helping them clear the path to high-demand careers. 

Tamara Atkinson hosts Alyssia Palacios-Woods, Executive Director of Capital IDEA, on Austin Hires Local. With...

What might be possible for Austin’s workforce if every employer saw talent the way the Urban League does? 
 
Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, hosts Quincy Dunlap, President and CEO of the Austin Area Urban League (AAUL), on the Austin Hires Local podcast. Dunlap shares his remarkable journey from working the McDonald's fry station to working in t...

“Make a Living, Making Austin.” That’s the promise behind the new Austin Infrastructure Academy—and it’s answering a big question: How do we connect local talent to the 10,000+ jobs being created each year in one of our region’s fastest-growing sectors? 
 
In another special mini-episode, host Tamara Atkinson explores the untapped potential of this dynamic s...

In this special mini-episode, host Tamara Atkinson explores Austin's critical workforce challenges and the evolution of the Hire Local Plan. She discusses how addressing the skills gap is essential for sustaining regional economic growth and shares impressive results from the plan's most recent year of implementation, including 16,000+ residents trained in ...

Did you know you could own a home in Austin for $152,000? Discover how Austin Habitat for Humanity is making the impossible possible for Austin's workforce. 
 
Join host Tamara Atkinson and Michele Anderson, CEO of Austin Habitat for Humanity, as they discuss Austin Habitat’s mission to provide affordable housing for the local workforce. Austin Habitat is ramping up effo...

What innovative strategies is TWC Commissioner Joe Esparza using to support veterans and small businesses in the Texas workforce? 

Join Tamara Atkinson and the Commissioner, as Joe shares his unique journey from selling perfumes to becoming a significant figure in Texas workforce development, drawing from his experience as a Marine Corps veteran. There are...

Why is the Texas Workforce Commission and workforce boards often referred to as one of the state's "best-kept secrets"—a label that suggests they may not be receiving the attention they deserve—and how are they impacting the lives of workers and their families? 
 
Today on Austin Hires Local, Tamara Atkinson welcomes Texas Workforce Commissioner Alberto Treviño, a season...

Originally filmed Oct 24, 2024 

How does the "Tool Belt Diva," Melanie Flowers, transform her passion for building into groundbreaking workforce development strategies? 
 
Today on Austin Hires Local, Tamara Atkinson welcomes Melanie Flowers, board member of Workforce Solutions Capital Area and recently-appointed board officer for the National A...

Host Tamara Atkinson welcomes Commissioner Brigid Shea to share her expertise on critical community issues like affordable childcare and workforce sustainability in Travis County. Brigid sheds light on the real-life challenges parents face with limited childcare access and the impact on employment opportunities. Our conversation unveils county initiatives, including a proposed prop...

How did a childhood knack for solving the Rubik’s Cube springboard Rob Neville into college, and eventually a career in workforce development?

Host Tamara Atkinson sits down for an inspirational conversation with Rob, now president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Central Texas. His journey, from a young author to a leader in the nonprofit sector, is a deeply...

How does child care investment, more transportation options, and a robust mental health network contribute to building a more inclusive and thriving community in Travis County?

In this episode, host Tamara Atkinson of Workforce Solutions Capital Area delves into the future of workforce development and child care advocacy in the rapidly growing Austin metro are...

In this episode, host Tamara Atkinson of WFS sits down with Stacy Armijo, Chief Experience Officer at Amplify Credit Union. Stacy offers valuable insights into her nontraditional career path from PR to finance and provides advice for those looking to switch industries. You’ll hear about the evolving demands within the banking sector, including the impact of technology and t...