Workforce Solutions Alamo (WSA), the agency focused on developing the workforce in the San Antonio region, received a Workforce Excellence Award from the Texas Economic Development Council. The award recognizes WSA’s creative and successful innovations in workforce and professional development, particularly WSA’s partnerships focused on developing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) career pathways.
 
The Workforce Excellence Award program honors outstanding contributions by a Texas community or region that has implemented successful workforce initiatives. The TEDC’s Workforce Development Committee reviewed applications from 16 organizations and communities, and judged nominees on five criteria: innovativeness, community commitment and leverage, measured objectives, and secondary effects.
 
Of the many ways WSA works to develop the regional workforce and economy, its partnership with the Alamo STEM Workforce Coalition is the latest initiative aimed at generating a robust STEM-based workforce and economy in the 12-county Alamo region. The program offers high school educators professional externships that are designed to increase student awareness of in-demand, STEM-based careers in the region. The program, now in its second year, received applications from 185 teachers this year, with room for just 100 to participate over the summer.
 
“Having a developed workforce and economy in a thriving city is critical, which is why WSA partners with programs such as the Alamo STEM Workforce Coalition,” said Gail Hathaway, CEO of WSA. “We are committed to serving our community and building upon San Antonio’s robust workforce. It is great that TEDC supports our efforts, and we are extremely grateful for creative partners like the members of the coalition.”
 
Partners in the Alamo STEM Workforce Coalition include:

• Alliance for Technology education in Applied Math and Science (ATEAMS)
• University of Texas at San Antonio’s Academy for Teacher Excellence
• P16Plus Council of Greater Bexar County
• SA Works
• Education Service Center Region 20
• Workforce Solutions Alamo