Job training at Skillpoint Alliance

Check out this article in today's Austin American-Statesman about local job-training programs available through Skillpoint Alliance.  According to Margo Dover, Skillpoint Alliance director:

"Texas is home to one of the largest veteran populations in the country and it will only grow as more troops leave Afghanistan. With few exceptions, they have the work ethic and drive to be excellent employees, but they often have a gap in the skills to attain jobs.


Transitioning veterans, as well as their dependents that also desperately need training and jobs, are a real strength of our region and we need to capitalize on it. It is important now more than ever that we start training them for jobs that exist right when they step off the base.

It is also important that those in the workforce, preparing to enter the workforce, and young people, the future workforce, are all aware of what jobs truly exist in the Austin-Central Texas market.

According to the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, one in three jobs in Austin are in computer programming and database management. Another 9 percent are in health care.

Jobs consistently exist in skilled labor, like electrical, plumbing, HVAC and welding. Austin is home to light machinist jobs. These are all perfect examples of skilled trades that do not require higher education degrees at their entry-level positions. Many allow for long-term growth without ever obtaining higher-education degrees ... People can be, or become, self-sufficient on these jobs. Most importantly, though, these are the jobs that exist in Austin. These businesses are in critical need of skilled, trained workers."