Opportunity Austin prioritizes customized training to better connect the workforce development system with regional businesses.
To make significant strides in workforce development, Opportunity Austin collaborates with employers, colleges, schools, and workforce partners to scale impactful programs and address barriers to access. Through these efforts, we’ve bridged the gap between industry needs and educational outcomes, laying the foundation for a stronger regional workforce.
Our programs are designed to address a full spectrum of skills to benefit industry, including front line certifications, technician development, & advanced degrees. We partner with industries to help identify skills gaps and talent needs in our local workforce and collaborate with workforce development organizations and public institutions, Opportunity Austin helps create programs that meet the current and future needs of employers and professionals.
K-12
The journey to building a strong and capable workforce begins early in a student’s education. Our K-12 initiatives are designed to spark interest in high-demand careers and equip students with the foundational skills they need to succeed in the modern economy. By connecting students, educators, and industry leaders, we lay the groundwork for a seamless transition from the classroom to the workforce, ensuring a robust pipeline of talent for the future.
Our K-12 initiatives include a variety of programs aimed at building career awareness, providing mentorship opportunities, and supporting educators with the tools they need to integrate industry relevance into the classroom.
Jobsite Shadowing Days
Students spend a day shadowing a professional in a particular industry to gain insight into their company, work and a day in the life of their job. During these shadowing experiences, students observe the day-to-day activities, tasks, and responsibilities of the professional they are shadowing. This hands-on experience allows students to learn about potential career paths, gain practical knowledge, and understand the skills required for success in that profession.
In Class Shadowing Days
During In Class Shadow Days, businesses get the opportunity to visit with students to have them learn more about their company, what they do on an everyday basis, and the skills they need to get a job at said company. This experience allows students to learn about potential career paths, gain practical knowledge, and understand the skills required for success in that profession.
Teacher Externships
Teachers spent a total of 25 hours over the course of five days during the summer shadowing industry professionals. This occurs over the summer during the months of June, July, or August. During this time, teachers receive a stipend. After having completed their externships, teachers are able to develop a lesson plan that they can use to teach their students about that industry.
Make it Movement
The Make It Movement inspires creativity and innovation by providing resources, tools, and support to individuals and communities regarding career pathways. It aims to empower people to pursue their passions, whether it’s through trades/construction, welding , but also short-term postsecondary pathways like health care support, tech/IT, and more to foster a culture of collaboration and growth. They promote community involvement through social media and other channels. https://www.makeitmovement.org/
Career & College Pathways
Navigating the journey from high school to postsecondary education is essential for building a skilled and adaptable workforce. Our initiatives connect students with the tools and opportunities necessary to pursue a variety of educational and career paths. Whether students are aiming for a two-year or four-year college, specialized training, or direct entry into the workforce, our programs provide the support needed to make informed decisions and transition smoothly into the next phase of their lives.
Our Pathways to Early College offerings include a variety of programs such as FAFSA Workshops, TRIO partnerships, and internships/mentorships that connect students with resources, training, and career exploration opportunities tailored to their unique aspirations.
FAFSA Workshops
Each year, graduating seniors and current post-secondary students complete their FAFSA whether it be for a 2-year, 4-year, or training institutions. In collaboration with our regional ISD partners and institution partners we host FAFSA events for students in the Austin region to get help with completing their FAFSA. Events usually take place in the months of October through March to meet the Texas priority deadline of March 15th. During these events, both students and parents are encouraged to attend. These events happen throughout the week and on Saturdays.
Opportunity Austin encourages regional businesses to volunteer during events to engage with students directly. Each volunteer is invited to sign-up for the events that they are available to help guide families to FAFSA completion. To volunteer, each participant needs to attend one of our OA trainings either in person or virtually. These trainings are hosted at the end of each Fall semester in collaboration with our partners Trellis and ACC. You get the answer to the most frequently asked questions about FAFSA and the opportunity to see the application from start to finish.
TRIO
The Department of Education funded TRIO Programs (TRIO) that are outreach and student service programs designed to identify and provide services for post- secondary enrollment and career development for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO is divided into the following three groups: Upward Bound, Student Support Services (SSS), Talent Search. Collaborating with TRIO aids bringing in career and industry awareness with students across the Austin Metro area and Texas State University.
OA provides TRIO with career awareness opportunities by bringing in employers to interact with their students. As part of their grant with SSS, we optimize the following events throughout the school year and in the summer:
- Industry Breakout Rooms in which students get to hear from different employers within an industry to gain awareness of the different careers available within the company and learn about the pathway into the industry. Each company’s presentation is specific to the academic level of the students. College students hear about summer internships, while high school students get exposure to the degrees and certifications they will need after high school.
- Job site visits for students to gain exposure to a day in the life at a company and be able to build their career awareness. They get the opportunity to watch how various skills and knowledge is applied to the job.
Internships / Mentorships
In collaboration with our ISD and post-secondary partners, we work closely with educators, career services, training providers, and TRIO partners to connect students with companies seeking talent. By aligning student interests with business needs, we help create valuable opportunities through internships and mentorships.
Internships can be part of an established business program or a new initiative created with the company. These opportunities may be paid or unpaid, with transportation support provided by participating high schools for selected students. Internships typically last anywhere from two weeks to several months, based on the needs of the business and in coordination with high school counselors or work-study programs, when available.
Mentorship programs pair students with professionals in their field of interest, offering guidance on career pathways and job requirements to help them understand what’s needed to succeed in the industry.
Early to Mid Career
As professionals advance in their careers, establishing strong connections with industry leaders and opportunities is crucial for continued growth and success. Opportunity Austin facilitates these connections through targeted engagement with employers and resources. By fostering direct communication and providing access to valuable career-building opportunities, we ensure that individuals at this stage of their careers can navigate their professional journey effectively and find the right pathways for advancement.
Talent Ambassadors
Talent Ambassadors engages business leaders at every stage of the workforce development pipeline, spanning from K-12 to career to help regional talent better understand career pathways and opportunities. The program helps schools, colleges, and training providers better align education to employer needs by connecting students career pathways, internships, and other work-based learning opportunities enhancing awareness of the skills necessary for success in your company or industry.
The Talent Ambassadors program serves as a strategic enabler, fostering collaboration between industry and education to cultivate a skilled workforce capable of meeting the evolving demands of the Austin Region’s economy. Through targeted engagements and partnerships, the program drives sustainable growth and prosperity by enabling a more seamless alignment between talent supply and workforce demand.
Interested in becoming a Talent Ambassador? Reach out to Gilbert Zavala at gzavala@opportunityaustin.com to get on the list for the 2025 cohort, starting in May 2025.
How Employers can Get Involved
Opportunity Austin collaborates with employers, schools, and universities to broaden access to talent through building awareness of career pathways, internships, and workforce credentials. Through this form, you will be able to express your interest in participating in any opportunity we host through our collaborations with different partners.