Austin Hires Local

Host Tamara Atkinson welcomes Commissioner Brigid Shea to share her expertise on critical community issues like affordable childcare and workforce sustainability in Travis County. Brigid sheds light on the real-life challenges parents face with limited childcare access and the impact on employment opportunities. Our conversation unveils county initiatives, including a proposed property tax increase on the November ballot, aimed at combating lengthy childcare waitlists. These potential solutions reflect a community-driven approach to ensuring that every family has the support they need to thrive.

As we examine the intersection of affordability, climate change, and job opportunities, the conversation turns to the rising costs of living and real estate in the county. Brigid outlines strategic initiatives for affordable housing and tackling chronic homelessness by partnering with developers and leveraging pandemic relief funds. Additionally, the episode highlights federal efforts to link job creation with climate resilience, focusing on sectors like solar energy and disaster recovery. Through these discussions, we emphasize the importance of partnerships, bold candor, and forward-thinking strategies to build a resilient and inclusive future in Travis County.

Brigid Shea is a former award-winning reporter at NPR stations who has proved her grit by fighting climate change in Texas since 1988. As a former Austin City Council member, she helped create the first wind project in Texas. Since being elected to the Travis County Commissioners Court in 2014, her work to reverse climate change and better prepare residents for climate impacts has won 3 NACo Achievement Awards; one for creating a neighborhood wildfire drill, the second for dramatically improving the reach of emergency warning systems, and the third for significantly reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions through an ambitious remote work policy at the County.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) Introduction of guest Brigid Shea, her first job as a waitress


• (0:03:27) Affordable childcare and workforce sustainability, ballot measure to support it


• (0:13:00) Innovative remote work strategies reduce traffic congestion and emissions


• (0:19:35) Addressing employee dissatisfaction and retention in “return to work” environments


• (0:22:20) Strategic initiatives for “deeply” affordable housing amid a halted market for development


• (0:27:02) Using pandemic relief funds for uniquely addressing housing insecurity and workforce development, forward-thinking strategies for resilience


• (0:33:20) The outlook for job creation through federal climate resilience initiatives


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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:
Brigid Shea Bio
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.