Austin Hires Local

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

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, welcomes Elaine Diaz to discuss her unique perspective on bridging industry and education. With 20 years as a licensed electrician and six years teaching electrical and construction principles at Austin ISD and Austin Community College, Elaine brings authentic workforce experience into the classroom. She emphasizes how the Teacher Externship Program helps educators understand real-world career pathways, employer expectations, and opportunities beyond traditional skilled trades roles.  The conversation explores Elaine's journey from unemployment to becoming a skilled electrician through an apprenticeship program, her experience as a woman in male-dominated construction trades, and her transition into education. Key topics include how her Teacher Externships at Workforce Solutions Capital Area and AECOM provided critical insights about wraparound services, career navigation resources, and various employment pathways within local companies. Elaine discusses teaching employability skills like punctuality, problem-solving, teamwork, and reliability while helping students understand that construction offers diverse roles from crane operators to human resources professionals.  Elaine Diaz has 20 years of experience as an electrician, and now brings hands-on industry knowledge into the classroom. She has spent the past six years teaching electrical and construction principles at Austin ISD and Austin Community College. Elaine's career began through an IEC apprenticeship program after finding an advertisement encouraging women and minorities to apply. Her unique perspective as both a skilled trades professional and educator allows her to authentically prepare students for real-world career opportunities while emphasizing the importance of employability skills and understanding the full range of pathways available within the construction industry.  In This Episode:  * (00:00) Why externships create a win-win for students and employers  * (02:47) How a newspaper ad changed everything and launched an electrical career  * (13:51) What teachers learn from externships that transforms their classroom approach  * (18:10) Beyond the hard hat: discovering hidden career pathways in construction companies  * (22:36) What employers should prepare to maximize teacher externship impact  * (23:41) Teaching the employability skills that employers actually need from graduates  * Like and subscribe to hear all of our informative upcoming episodes!  About the show:  Austin Hires Local, powered by Workforce Solutions Capital Area, 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.  Resources:  Teacher Externship Registration for Employers https://www.climbtheladderctx.com/employers [https://www.climbtheladderctx.com/employers]  Teacher Externship Registration for Educators https://www.climbtheladderctx.com/educators [https://www.climbtheladderctx.com/educators]  WFS Workforce Solutions Capital Area: https://wfscapitalarea.com [https://wfscapitalarea.com/]  Thank you to our sponsor: Texas Mutual [https://www.texasmutual.com/]  About Workforce Solutions Capital Area: Workforce Solutions is the state-designated authority for the data-driven planning, oversight, and evaluation of workforce development activities in Austin-Travis County. They connect local people to the most in-demand industries with quality jobs. These specialized services are provided at no cost - including career training, apprenticeship programs, scholarships, job search assistance, child care assistance, tailored business solutions and more.

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

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 development in Central Texas. As Assistant Vice President of Academic Partnerships for HCA Healthcare's Central and West Texas Division, known locally as St. David's HealthCare, Beth shares her personal journey into nursing inspired by her grandmother's care experience. She reveals how her role focuses on capturing nursing graduates, creating residency programs, and building career pathways that have helped St. David's achieve a remarkable 93% one-year retention rate and 90% five-year retention rate for nurses.  The conversation highlights major wins achieved through the Central Texas Healthcare Partnership, including more than doubling nursing graduates from 596 in 2019 to 1,291 in 2024. Beth discusses expanding beyond nursing to address critical shortages in cath lab technicians, nuclear medicine, respiratory therapy, and surgical tech roles. She shares innovative approaches to engaging K-12 students through healthcare expos, hospital field trips, and groundbreaking policies that allow 17-year-olds to work in hospitals while earning certifications. The episode emphasizes that solving Austin's healthcare workforce challenges doesn't happen in a silo but requires hospitals, schools, and community partners working together to build sustainable pipelines for the region's growing healthcare demands.  Beth Vaughn is Assistant Vice President of Academic Partnerships for HCA Healthcare's Central and West Texas Division (St. David's HealthCare). She earned her Doctorate of Nursing from Capella University in 2018 and has served in leadership roles within HCA Healthcare since 2014. Her clinical background includes cardiovascular, neurocritical, and cardiac rehabilitation care. Beth's excellence has been recognized with prestigious awards including the Circle of Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. She collaborates with academic institutions, school districts, and workforce organizations to create healthcare career pathways for K-12 students.  In This Episode:  * (00:00) Beth's inspiration for entering healthcare and her mission to make a difference  * (10:31) Creating awareness of lesser-known healthcare roles beyond what people know  * (17:42) How the Central Texas Healthcare Partnership more than doubled local nursing graduates  * (23:56) Engaging students early through expos, field trips, and high school hiring pathways  * (30:58) The life-changing impact of students graduating high school already earning nursing wages  * (36:21) What's next: continued school and hospital expansion to meet Central Texas' growing demand  * Like and subscribe to hear all of our informative upcoming episodes!  About the show:  Austin Hires Local, powered by Workforce Solutions Capital Area, 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.  Resources:  Central Texas Healthcare Partnership: https://www.wfscapitalarea.com/about/industry-sector-partnerships/cthp/ [https://www.wfscapitalarea.com/about/industry-sector-partnerships/cthp/]  Beth Vaughn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-vaughn-dnp-rn-nea-bc-cnml-593373225 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-vaughn-dnp-rn-nea-bc-cnml-593373225]  Ashley King on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-king-1316241a2 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-king-1316241a2]  WFS Workforce Solutions Capital Area: https://wfscapitalarea.com [https://wfscapitalarea.com/] |Thank you to our sponsor: Texas Mutual [https://www.texasmutual.com/]  About Workforce Solutions Capital Area: Workforce Solutions is the state-designated authority for the data-driven planning, oversight, and evaluation of workforce development activities in Austin-Travis County. They connect local people to the most in-demand industries with quality jobs. These specialized services are provided at no cost - including career training, apprenticeship programs, scholarships, job search assistance, child care assistance, tailored business solutions and more.

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

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 Operations at JE Dunn Construction, one of Austin's top five general contractors. With over two decades of construction experience, Jason serves on the Mobility and Infrastructure Leadership Group convened by Workforce Solutions Capital Area. He shares his journey from working as a busboy to leading complex infrastructure projects including Austin Convention Center renovation. Jason champions workforce development through mentorship, believing that inspired people build exceptional places and create sustainable career pathways.  This conversation explores how JE Dunn is addressing Central Texas' infrastructure boom while building tomorrow's workforce. Topics include the Austin Infrastructure Academy's mission to create career roadmaps for skilled trades, strategies for attracting women and younger generations to construction, overcoming the aging workforce challenge, and JE Dunn's safety-first culture including bilingual training programs. Jason shares powerful stories of student interns discovering construction careers, the importance of language training on job sites, and how major public projects create sustainable, well-paying jobs for Austin residents.  Jason Beiter is Vice President and Director of Construction Operations for JE Dunn Construction in Austin, Texas. With more than two decades of experience in construction and program management, Jason leads complex projects that shape Austin's growing infrastructure landscape. A champion of workforce development, he serves on the Mobility and Infrastructure Leadership Group, convened by Workforce Solutions Capital Area, which brings together industry leaders to identify skill needs, remove barriers for job seekers, and build a strong regional talent pipeline for the future. Jason's leadership emphasizes collaboration, mentorship, and the belief that inspired people build exceptional places.  In This Episode:  * (00:00) Jason's first job as a busboy and early lessons in teamwork and responsibility  * (04:14) How JE Dunn is powering major Austin projects like theconvention center renovation  * (09:03) Creating the Austin Infrastructure Academy to provide a roadmap for career seekers  * (10:30) Meeting the challenge of an aging workforce and attracting women to construction careers  * (20:01) Real story of a Crockett High School intern discovering his construction career path  * (22:47) The importance of safety and communication on job sites through language training programs  * Like and subscribe to hear all of our informative upcoming episodes!  About the show:  Austin Hires Local, powered by Workforce Solutions Capital Area, 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.  Resources:  Jason Beiter LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jason-l-beiter-a656b539 [http://linkedin.com/in/jason-l-beiter-a656b539]  JE Dunn https://jedunn.com/ [https://jedunn.com/]  Austin Infrastructure Academy: https://wfscapitalarea.com/austin-infrastructure-academy [https://wfscapitalarea.com/austin-infrastructure-academy]  Thank you to our sponsor: Texas Mutual [https://www.texasmutual.com/]  About Workforce Solutions Capital Area: Workforce Solutions is the state-designated authority for the data-driven planning, oversight, and evaluation of workforce development activities in Austin-Travis County. They connect local people to the most in-demand industries with quality jobs. These specialized services are provided at no cost - including career training, apprenticeship programs, scholarships, job search assistance, child care assistance, tailored business solutions and more.

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

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 operations for Carr Lane's facilities in St. Louis and Elgin, Texas. With 73 years of industry experience, Carr Lane manufactures precision tooling components used globally—including parts that have been going to space since the U.S. space program began. Keri shares her viral catchphrase "manufacturing is magic" and explains how combining art, science, math, and technology creates exciting career opportunities.  This episode explores Carr Lane's four-year participation in Workforce Solutions Capital Area's Teacher Externship Program, where educators spend a week learning manufacturing processes hands-on, then bring that knowledge back to their classrooms. Monica and Keri discuss partnerships with Elgin ISD and Texas State Technical College, dispelling outdated manufacturing myths about dirty and dangerous conditions, career advancement from entry-level to management positions, educational requirements for manufacturing careers, and why building a talent pipeline requires industry-wide collaboration. Listeners will discover how Carr Lane's bilingual, climate-controlled Elgin facility is changing perceptions and creating opportunities for the next generation.  Keri Westland serves as Chief Administrative Officer at Carr Lane Manufacturing, where she began her career as a high school student, working on the assembly line and in shipping, accounting, and purchasing. Over more than 20 years, she has built teams and led initiatives in human resources, recruiting, talent development, and diversity and inclusion, including roles at Waddell & Reed Financial and State Street before returning to Carr Lane.  In This Episode:  * (00:00) Why Carr Lane participates in teacher externship every year  * (02:23) How starting on the assembly line at 15 shaped a manufacturing career  * (08:02) Dispelling myths about dirty, dangerous manufacturing conditions  * (11:05) Career advancement from assembly line to production manager explained  * (16:58) How ‘manufacturing is magic’ went viral in the Austin business community  * (21:02) Why teacher externship is the favorite week of the year for Carr Lane's team  * Like and subscribe to hear all of our informative upcoming episodes!  About the show:  Austin Hires Local, powered by Workforce Solutions Capital Area, 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.  Resources:  Keri Westland on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keriwestland/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/keriwestland/]  Monica Magallanes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-magallanes-ba9939138 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-magallanes-ba9939138]  Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s Teacher Externship Program:  [https://wfscapitalarea.com/] https://www.climbtheladderctx.com/employers  Thank you to our sponsor: Texas Mutual [https://www.texasmutual.com/]  About Workforce Solutions Capital Area: Workforce Solutions is the state-designated authority for the data-driven planning, oversight, and evaluation of workforce development activities in Austin-Travis County. They connect local people to the most in-demand industries with quality jobs. These specialized services are provided at no cost - including career training, apprenticeship programs, scholarships, job search assistance, child care assistance, tailored business solutions and more.

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

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 development. Her leadership philosophy centers on treating clients as neighbors and ensuring services remain accessible, personalized, and impactful for Central Texas families and job seekers.  This candid conversation covers Yael's three strategic priorities as interim CEO: transforming service delivery through personalized career navigation and technology, diversifying funding beyond federal sources to meet local needs, and investing in staff development and leadership cultivation. Tamara and Yael reflect on their 25-year partnership, share memorable moments from their work together, and discuss how Workforce Solutions will position itself as the region's workforce expert. The episode also highlights Yael's vision for leveraging AI and community partnerships to strengthen workforce outcomes.  Yael Lawson serves as Interim Chief Executive Officer of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, a role she was appointed to in September 2025. She has worked with the organization since 2000, previously serving as Chief Operations Officer since 2017. She provides strategic leadership across workforce programs, child care services, employment support, and employer engagement. Her career began working directly with clients, experience that continues informing her approach to program design and implementation. Ms. Lawson also serves as Chair of the On Point Reentry Consortium and previously served on the board of The Arc of Central Texas, demonstrating her longstanding commitment to workforce development and community partnerships across the region.  In This Episode:  * (00:00) Funny office moments and the dynamic between Tamara and Yael over 25 years  * (07:22) Reflections on her two-decade career at Workforce Solutions and creating roles that still exist today  * (09:16) Clarifying the role of a workforce board: board of directors vs board staff  * (12:40) Interim CEO priorities: strengthening service delivery and technology, diversifying funding through public partnerships, developing staff and cultivating leadership  * (20:04) Transforming into a navigation model where WFS is seen as a workforce expert not just a program operator  * (26:46) Tamara's farewell reflections and gratitude to partners  * Like and subscribe to hear all of our informative upcoming episodes!  About the show:  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.  Resources:  Yael Lawson LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/yael-lawson-0308604/]  Workforce Solutions Capital Area [https://www.wfscapitalarea.com/]  https://www.wfscapitalarea.com/  Workforce Solutions’ LinkedIn newsletter [https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7359614112919687169]  https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7359614112919687169  Thank you to our sponsor: Texas Mutual [https://www.texasmutual.com/]  About Workforce Solutions Capital Area: Workforce Solutions is the state-designated authority for the data-driven planning, oversight, and evaluation of workforce development activities in Austin-Travis County. They connect local people to the most in-demand industries with quality jobs. These specialized services are provided at no cost - including career training, apprenticeship programs, scholarships, job search assistance, child care assistance, tailored business solutions and more.