Ready to Work Program Provides Win-Win Opportunities for San Antonians and Local Employers
Ready to Work is an unprecedented workforce initiative approved by San Antonio voters to help residents of San Antonio find easy access to training, education, and quality careers. The $200 million program offers unemployed, underemployed, and historically underrepresented residents the following benefits:
• Tuition for industry-recognized certifications, associate’s and bachelor’s degrees aligned with targeted occupations in high-demand, well-paid careers;
• Wraparound support services and emergency assistance to ensure training completion; and
• Job placement and retention services.
To date, Ready to Work has already covered tuition for over 1,800 San Antonians enrolled in approved training programs that are aligned with quality jobs. According to Workforce Development Office Executive Director Mike Ramsey, “The wholehearted support from the San Antonio business community has been a key component in successfully launching the Ready to Work program.”
Jarvis Moore, CEO of Jarvis Moore Inc, noted that his company has taken the Ready to Work Employer Pledge. Jarvis Moore Inc. is based on the Eastside and provides demolition, site prep, debris removal and hauling services to the greater San Antonio area.
“At Jarvis Moore Inc., we are a second-chance employer,” Moore said. “We specifically hire people who face barriers to meaningful employment, whether those barriers are past incarceration, substance abuse, serious illness or the death of someone in the family. We believe in giving folks opportunities to help them move past their background, to learn skills and to become successful.”
Moore currently serves on the Ready to Work Advisory Board’s Employer Engagement Subcommittee. “Our subcommittee supports the Ready to Work program by sharing what local employers need in their workforce,” he said. “We also help to connect Ready to Work graduates to pledged employers.”
“The Ready to Work program offers many training pathways that can prepare people to quickly acquire the necessary skills and/or certifications to go into careers like construction and truck driving. This is so important for people who need to get trained quickly so they can start making a living wage,” Moore continued.
According to Moore, the Ready to Work program is an outstanding opportunity for San Antonians. “I encourage people who are considering applying to the Ready to Work program to figure out within themselves what they are looking for in terms of type of work, and explore the different training programs that are offered. Find out which programs align with your goals and sign up for one that will help you get into a good-paying job.”
Moore urged local employers who have not yet taken the Ready to Work pledge to consider doing so. “Employees who have invested time and effort into the training program are more likely to stick with the job for some period of time. Ready to Work is an excellent conduit for employers who need good, skilled employees.”
“The Ready to Work program is truly a win-win opportunity for both program participants and the employers who hire them,” Moore said.
If you’re interested in applying to the Ready to Work program or in becoming a pledged employer, visit www.ReadyToWorkSA.com or call 3-1-1.
