'It's really helpful': Central Texas workforce programs receive thousands in state funding

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Central Texas nonprofits just got more money to help their efforts increasing our workforce.

Twenty workforce skills training and job placement programs received more than $6.3 million in grant funding, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday.

The funding came via the Texas Talent Connection grant program, an initiative designed to aid “innovative education and workforce skills training programs that lead to successful job placement, increased wages, and improved job retention,” per the release.

Two of those programs are in the Austin area: American YouthWorks and Skillpoint Alliance.

'Reach out to rural communities'

Skillpoint Alliance received $210,000 from the grant program.

Chief Executive Officer Kevin Brackmeyer said it will help them reach out to rural communities throughout all of the areas they serve.

"We've seen a lot of individuals who are coming to our training come from outside of these rural communities. We felt that it was urgent that we start really reaching out to those communities and really helping them get trained."

Kevin Brackmeyer, Skillpoint Alliance Chief Executive Officer

Brackmeyer said they are setting up pop-up trainings in those rural places. He said the grant will also help expand the times they can train.

"Adding more training sites at night as well as during the day with a focus on specific populations," Brackmeyer said "One being the veterans that we love to serve."

Skillpoint Alliance Electrical Instructor Matthew Singer is a veteran himself.

"It's hard to reach veterans," Singer said. "Often, large populations are in Killeen and San Antonio. So we try to go to them and provide them an opportunity to transfer from the military into a trade."

'Serve more young people'

American YouthWorks is another Austin nonprofit receiving the Texas Talent Connection Grant Program.

"Typically, students are spending half their time in our academic programs, finishing their GED or high school diploma and half of their time in the pre-apprenticeship job training programs," said YouthBuild Program Director David Clauss.

Clauss said their $350,000 will go towards YouthBuild, a program for young adults who haven't finished high school.

"Our YouthBuild programs job training is focused around the Austin economy," Class said. "We provide job training in healthcare, IT, manufacturing and construction in the skilled trades."

With this additional support, Clauss said they're able to support over 120 to 150 young people.

The nonprofit said 80% of YouthBuild grads go on to higher education or a job in the Austin economy.

YouthBuild participant Eloy Vasquez is planning for that in his future.

"I actually want to like join trade school after this. A lot of the skills that I've learned here will definitely translate into what careers I'm trying to pursue."

Eloy Vasquez, YouthBuild participant

Collectively, more than $50 million in grants have been awarded through the state's grant program since 2015.