Despite continued questions about its effectiveness, San Antonio’s Ready to Work career development program has secured over 5,000 job placements for program participants in San Antonio, officials with the organization said Wednesday.
“With hard work, RTW participants are increasing their salaries by an average of more than $33,500,” Workforce Development Executive Director Mike Ramsey said in a statement. “That increase in wages and access to benefits can give them and their family added financial stability while at the same time filling in-demand jobs that our city needs.”
The program — a signature initiative from former Mayor Ron Nirenberg — was approved by voters in 2020 as a way to address job losses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nirenberg, who termed out as mayor last summer, also suggested using the program to counteract the waves of federal layoffs buffeting the city.
As he departed office, Nirenberg touted Ready to Work as one of his crowning achievements in office.
However, not everyone saw it that way. Incumbent Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai — who lost to Nirenberg by a landslide in March — attempted to use the program against the former mayor on the campaign trail.
“I’m going to go on the record: the Ready to Work Program has not created a return on investment,” Sakai said during a debate. “The projected goals have not been met. It was a tremendous diversion of sales tax from the Edwards Aquifer protection to Ready to Work, and I think that’s created severe consequences regarding protection for the aquifer.”
At the time of the County Judge race, the program had created 3,200 jobs, which Sakai said paled in comparison to rosy projections at its outset and didn’t justify its cost.
“When the projection was 40,000, it was reduced to 26,000, and then to 18,000 — if it’s still going? [We have spent] $200 million for 3,200 jobs,” Sakai said during the debate last January.
The program has cost San Antonio more than $235 million in sales tax revenue, according to city data. Out of a total of 6,831 who have completed the program, 5,591 have found jobs, earning it a 75% job placement rate. To date, 15,733 are currently enrolled in the program.
How it works
Participants join the program to receive training for jobs local employers are looking to fill. Far more than a staffing agency, it provides a variety of services as a career development program, according to Ready to Work officials.
“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity the program provided,” RTW participant Sebastian Oberg said in a news release from the program. “I truly do not believe I would be where I am today without it.”
As a participant, Oberg received tuition assistance, training and wraparound services such as transportation and childcare assistance, according to RTW officials.
Types of training and education assistance include industry-recognized credential and certificate programs, associate’s degree programs and bachelor’s degree programs.
Healthcare remains the top industry hiring a variety positions, including registered nurses, medical assistants, and pharmacy technicians. Other in-demand jobs include HVAC repair, manufacturing and transportation.
Program participants placed in jobs earn an average salary of $45,000. The program projects an $11.8 billion Return on Investment (ROI) for the city, according to its dashboard.
To qualify for the program, an individual can earn no more than $39,125 while a family of four must earn $80,375 or less to qualify. The program is able to accept at least 28,000 eligible adults as participants.
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