Austin Hires Local

Austin Hires Local

Workforce Solutions Capital Area

Episodes 27
Avg. Duration 33m
Activity Active
Apple Rating 5.0 (3)
Since Jul 2024
Latest Episode Feb 2026

Outreach Signals

Open to Sponsors

Publishing Details

Schedule
Monthly
Format
Episodic
Consistency
57%
Hosting
feeds.castos.com

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

Austin Hires Local, powered by Workforce Solutions Capital Area and hosted by WFS CEO Tamara Atkinson, dives deep with the trailblazers who are shaping the future of jobs in our city, our state, and even nationally. We pull back the curtain on the challenges we all face – the anxieties, the roadblocks, and what's holding us back from filling those critical open positions. But hey, it's not all doom and gloom. We also celebrate the victories: the ingenious solutions, the unexpected collaborations, and the best practices that are making us all sharper. You’ll hear guests from all sides of the table – elected officials with a finger on the pulse of the economy, industry leaders from booming sectors like tech, healthcare, and skilled trades, and educators shaping young minds in our schools and post-secondary education programs. So, tune in and get ready to be informed, inspired, and maybe even surprised by the future of work in Austin.

Social Media

Explore Statistics

Recent Episodes

A Teacher’s View: Connecting Classrooms to Careers Through Externships with Elaine Diaz

Feb 03, 2026 31m

What if the teacher preparing your future workforce had never actually worked in your industry?  Host Samantha Ruiz-Gross, career and education specialist with Workforce Solutions Capital Area,…

Breaking the Silo: How Competing Hospitals United to Solve Austin's Healthcare Shortages

Jan 14, 2026 41m

How did Austin more than double its nursing graduates in just five years?  Beth Vaughn, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CNML, joins Ashley King to discuss the collaborative efforts transforming healthcare workforce…

Fixing Austin’s Construction Workforce Shortage: JE Dunn’s Jason Beiter Shares the Blueprint

Nov 24, 2025 29m

What made a Crockett High School intern's eyes light up when he discovered construction safety as a career path?  Sarah Garza sits down with Jason Beiter, Vice President and Director of Construction…

Manufacturing is Magic: Inspiring the Next Generation with Keri Westland of Carr Lane Manufacturing

Oct 30, 2025 29m

What if everything you thought you knew about manufacturing careers was completely outdated?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,…

Yael Lawson Takes the Helm at Workforce Solutions with Bold Priorities for Austin

Oct 03, 2025 27m

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…

S1E21 From Grounded Graduates to Community Impact with Dr. Kristi Kirk of Concordia University Texas

Sep 17, 2025 39m

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,…

Building Resilient Communities: Texas Mutual CEO Jeanette Ward on Workforce and Childcare

Aug 30, 2025 44m

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…

The Human Side of Transit: CapMetro CEO Dottie Watkins on Workforce and Community

Aug 08, 2025 40m

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…

S1E18 Soft Skills Disasters and Lunch Thieves: The Workplace Stories TWC Chairman Never Expected

Jul 15, 2025 54m

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…

S1E17 The Classroom Is Where Careers Begin: A Workforce Blueprint with Commissioner Travillion

Jun 18, 2025 31m

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…

S1E16 A Hall of Fame Serve for Austin's Workforce: AI, Child Care & Careers with Capital IDEA

May 29, 2025 32m

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…

S1E15 The Servant Leader's Playbook: Quincy Dunlap on the ROI of Expanding Workforce Access

May 01, 2025 48m

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…

Make a Living Making Austin: Inside the Infrastructure Academy Launch

Apr 03, 2025 10m

“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…

Impact & Input: Your Voice in Austin's Hire Local Plan

Feb 13, 2025 6m Bonus

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…

S1E12 Austin Habitat for Humanity's Triple Impact of Homes, Community and Hope with Michele Anderson

Feb 04, 2025 32m

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…

Shaping Texas’ Future: Commissioner Joe Esparza on Veterans, Employers, and Childcare

Jan 07, 2025 31m

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…

S1E10 "The Courteous Commissioner”: Alberto Treviño on Building a Better Texas Workforce

Dec 04, 2024 28m

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…

S1E9 Redefining Apprenticeship: Workforce Solutions and National Trends with Melanie Flowers

Nov 17, 2024 26m

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,…

S1E8 Building a Resilient Community: Comm. Brigid Shea on Childcare, Housing, and Climate Jobs

Oct 31, 2024 36m

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…

S1E7 Solving the Wealth Gap Puzzle: Goodwill CEO Rob Neville on AI and Education

Oct 17, 2024 39m

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…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Austin Hires Local have?

Austin Hires Local has published 27 episodes since July 2024, covering topics in Business, Careers.

Is Austin Hires Local still active?

Austin Hires Local is currently active with new episodes monthly. Average episode length is 33m.

How do I contact Austin Hires Local for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Austin Hires Local, including email and social media links.

Similar Podcasts