Workforce Development Training Opportunities in the Capital Area (Part 2)

Printer-Friendly Version
File Size:	864 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

---

This is the second post in a series discussing the work the Capital Area Economic Development District (CAEDD) has undertaken to examine workforce development training in the Capital Area. To read the first post, click here.

The 60x30TX Plan

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) adopted a 15-year strategic plan in 2015, called "The 60x30TX Higher Education Plan." The overarching goal in the plan is that by 2030, at least 60 percent of Texans aged 25-34 will have a certificate or degree. Applying that goal to the Capital Area specifically, here's how the numbers stack up as of 2015.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, JobsEQ, and CAPCOG Estimates

Looking at that data, a number of salient points jump out, specifically:

• Significant variation exists across the region today - from 27% in attainment in Burnet County to 61% in attainment in Travis County
• Travis County already exceeds the THECB target, the only county in the region to do so currently. However, Travis County also has more people outside of attainment of the standard than the rest of the region combined
• Only about 10,000 people between the ages of 25 and 34 currently live outside the 5-county metro area; the 5-coounty metro area is Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties
  

Workforce Development Training and Demographics

Seeing the figures for population and educational attainment across the region got us (the CAEDD) thinking again about the geographical distribution of workforce development training providers across the region. So we mapped them again. Only this time, we included additional data layers for comparison, including population density, job density, educational attainment, and activity centers from the CAMPO 2040 plan. That interactive map is embedded below. Click on the options in the dark grey bar across the top to change viewing options (e.g., change visible layers, turn the legend on/off, etc.). For a larger map, click here.

Some Takeaways from the Mapping

• Workforce development training resources in the region are concentrated in our dense population centers, especially along the IH-35 corridor. This pattern creates gaps in access to training programs for our rural residents.
• Solving the access issues for rural residents may require more creative solutions. Alternative training models (e.g., remote classes, online education, etc.) may help expand access and bring more of the region closer to attainment of the 60x30TX goal, without targeting excessive resources outside population centers. Of course, reliable broadband service is also a complicating issue for online class provision in rural areas.
• Making information about training opportunities more accessible may strengthen demand for the existing workforce training opportunities that are already present throughout the region. There is not currently a single (or even a short list) of online resources where one can find comprehensive information about available workforce development resources in the Capital Area. More work to make information about classes, apprenticeships, supporting resources, and other programs easier to find may strengthen the effectiveness of the existing training provider system.