Show Notes
What do time management, mental wellness, and child care have in common? They're among the biggest hurdles facing working adults in Central Texas trying to rise out of poverty—and Capital IDEA is helping them clear the path to high-demand careers.
Tamara Atkinson hosts Alyssia Palacios-Woods, Executive Director of Capital IDEA, on Austin Hires Local. With a background in tennis that earned her a place in St. Edwards University Athletic Hall of Fame, Palacios-Woods brings a unique journey from graphic design to nonprofit leadership. As Executive Director of Capital IDEA, she shares how the organization lifts low-income working adults out of poverty through education and career advancement "from start to hired," serving 1,000 students annually.
The episode explores Capital IDEA's alignment with Workforce Solutions' Hire Local Plan, supporting industries like healthcare, IT, and skilled trades. Palacios-Woods discusses the critical importance of community collaboration to provide wraparound services, particularly childcare support for working students. The conversation also delves into innovative approaches to integrate AI in nonprofit operations and Capital IDEA's vision for growth beyond 2025 as they continue to connect local people with local careers in Central Texas.
Alyssia Palacios-Woods is a community builder and non-profit leader with 15+ years of experience supporting workforce development initiatives in Central Texas. She is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) dedicated to best practices in non-profit operations and fundraising. Prior to joining Capital IDEA, Alyssia served as the President & CEO of the Austin Young Chamber, where she championed regional collaboration, entrepreneurship, talent development, and workplace diversity. Alyssia was recognized as an Austin Business Journal Profiles in Power Nominee in 2019 and an Austin Under 40 Finalist in 2023. She received her bachelor's degree from St. Edward's University and her master's degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Previous board service includes the Austin Chamber of Commerce, Transit Forward, and Capital IDEA. She currently serves on the Advisory Council for The New Philanthropist, the Regional Advisory Council for Austin Community College, and the Education and Workforce Councils for the Austin Chamber and Round Rock Chamber.
In This Episode:
● (00:00) From the Court to College: Guest's tennis career and Hall of Fame induction
● (05:58) Capital Idea in Action: Success stories illustrating mission and impact
● (07:51) Industry Alignment: Healthcare, IT and trades supported in Hire Local Plan
● (09:22) The Capital Idea Journey: Serving 1,000 students "from start to hired"
● (14:21) Community Collaboration: Meeting workforce needs through partnerships
● (18:12) Access to Child Care: Critical support strategy for student success
● (22:41) AI Integration and Future Vision: Technology adoption and growth beyond 2025
● (27:14) Career Reflections: Guest's path from graphic design to nonprofit leadership
● 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:
Capital IDEA - https://www.capitalidea.org/ Workforce Solutions Capital Area Tamara Atkinson LinkedIn
Workforce Solutions Capital Area
Tamara Atkinson LinkedIn
Thank you to our sponsor: Texas Mutual
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.
