San Antonio's Military City USA reputation continues to be more than just a catchy nickname, as the Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) strengthens its commitment to supporting troops transitioning from military to civilian life. A newly minted deal inked between JBSA and the City of San Antonio, in conjunction with Workforce Solutions Alamo, aims to provide veterans and their dependents within Bexar County with vital job training and placement assistance.
In an agreement that has been over a year in the making, Monday marked the collaboration’s formal launch, set to funnel JBSA service leavers and their families into the Ready to Work program. Brian Hoffman, vice-director for JBSA, praised the initiative at its signing, "We are very thankful for this opportunity, which has been a long time in the making," Hoffman told San Antonio Report.
Ready to Work contractors will now have access to on-base job fairs and community events at key installations such as Lackland, Fort Sam Houston, and Randolph. The agreement also includes a marketing partnership targeting veterans and their families in the county, along with data sharing provisions to ensure the program's effectiveness is monitored.
The plight of veterans transitioning to the civilian workforce is well-documented, fraught with challenges and a steep learning curve for those accustomed exclusively to the structure and roles found within the military. Mike Ramsey, the executive director of the city’s Workforce Development Office, underscored the importance of providing support for this demographic, "We want to embrace our military service community and make sure that as they transition to the next phase of their life, they have the proper support to ensure success," Ramsey told San Antonio Report.
With the recently approved $49.5 million budget for 2025, Ready to Work plans to include $6 million to reimburse local employers for training new employees, and for additional "upskilling" for current workers, with veterans and their dependents now among those eligible. This expansion is a testament to the enduring and growing partnership between JBSA and the City of San Antonio, noted by Serafina de los Santos, executive director of the 502d Force Support Group. De los Santos hinted at future collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing educational services, through what's being referred to as the “next big push” to expand Pre-K for SA with JBSA.
