How do romantic moments, regional growth, and emerging tech like AI all intersect at your local bus stop?

In this episode of Austin Hires Local, host Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, sits down with CapMetro President and CEO Dottie Watkins to explore the human side of public transit—from wedding proposals and workforce pipelines to perspectives on autonomous driving and the power of community connection.

Dottie Watkins serves as CapMetro’s President & CEO in Austin, TX. She began her transit career in 1994 driving part-time while attending the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to her appointment as Deputy CEO, now CEO, Dottie served as Chief Operating Officer and was responsible for all aspects of the agency’s daily operations, Capital Construction and Information Technology. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Texas and a Master of Business Administration from St. Edward’s University. A native Austinite, Dottie regularly enjoys trips to the pool with her daughter and plays French Horn in a local community band.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) Bus driver romance and wedding photo possibilities at CapMetro

• (03:02) From lifeguard to CEO: Dottie's first job and journey to transit leadership

• (10:34) Why CapMetro invested in workforce development and community talent pipeline

• (17:46) The future of autonomous vehicles and why humans will still be needed

• (20:49) Innovative childcare solutions for workers with irregular transit schedules

• (29:38) How Austin's changing demographics affect transit planning and service delivery

• (38:28) What Austin's transit landscape will look like in 10 years

• 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:

CapMetro
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 d...

What do lunch thieves, soft skills disasters, and a night-shift truck stop cook have to do with Texas' workforce future?

Join Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, as she interviews Chairman Bryan Daniel of the Texas Workforce Commission in this revealing conversation about Texas's workforce landscape. Chairman Daniel brings extensive leadership experience from Governor Abbott's senior staff, where he led Economic Development and Tourism, and previous roles with President Bush's Rural Development team. With his diverse background spanning from night shift truck stop cooking to spearheading innovative workforce strategies, Daniel offers practical insights on establishing Texas's competitive edge as the best place to work in the world.

This comprehensive discussion covers ten critical workforce topics affecting Austin business leaders: middle skills jobs representing 42% of Texas's 545,000 open positions, the debate over "middle" labeling and why it shouldn't change, and the soft skills crisis with real-world workplace examples. Daniel explains the difference between upskilling and reskilling, analyzes the root causes of Texas's talent gap, and identifies labor force participation rate as the key bellwether statistic for economic health. The conversation addresses supporting 16-24 year old workers, TWC's focus on rural communities and apprenticeships, and Daniel's ultimate vision for creating apprenticeship pipelines for all hard-to-fill positions across Texas industries.

Chairman Bryan Daniel serves as Chairman of the Texas Workforce Commission, promoting growth of Texas's world-class employers and talented workforce. A Texas Tech University Distinguished Alumnus with bachelor's and master's degrees, Daniel previously served four and half years on Governor Greg Abbott's senior staff leading the Office of Economic Development and Tourism. His extensive portfolio included the Texas Enterprise Fund, Events Trust Fund, Governor's University Research Initiative, and Texas Tourism Office. Daniel also served as Texas State Director for Rural Development under President George W. Bush and Chief Administrator for Trade and Business Development at the Texas Department of Agriculture, bringing valuable private sector marketing executive experience to workforce development.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) Chairman reveals his first jobs driving tractors and cooking at truck stops
• (07:06) Why 42% of Texas job openings are middle skills positions that employers can't fill
• (18:13) Soft skills crisis exposed through real workplace horror stories
• (28:48) Upskilling versus reskilling explained and why both are critical for Texas
• (38:49) Labor force participation rate reveals surprising workforce trends
• (39:18) Why 16 to 24-year-olds are abandoning traditional employment
• (44:00) Reality check for young workers entering today's job market
• (51:27) Chairman's unlimited budget vision for apprenticeships across all industries
• Like and subscribe to hear all of our informative upcoming episodes!

Today Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, sits down with Travis County Commissioner Jeff Travillion from Precinct One for an inspiring conversation about workforce development and youth opportunity. Commissioner Travillion brings decades of public service experience and a deep commitment to education rooted in his background as a teacher's kid. His focus centers on creating pathways for young people to access meaningful careers while ensuring businesses that receive tax incentives hire locally and invest in community talent development.

The discussion covers the recently passed tax rate election that funds childcare and after-school programs, the importance of connecting students directly with major employers like Tesla and Samsung, and creating a GI Bill-style local contract between young people and their community. Commissioner Travillion shares insights on building partnerships between schools and businesses, addressing workforce challenges through policy, and his vision for ensuring every child has guided access to career opportunities. The conversation also touches on systemic challenges and the cyclical nature of public policy.

Commissioner Jeff Travillion serves as Travis County Commissioner representing Precinct 1, bringing over 30 years of public service experience including 16 years with the City of Austin where he retired as team lead for the Code Department's Neighborhood Enhancement Team. His operational reviews of state agencies contributed to Texas Legislature recommendations resulting in over $8 billion in cost savings. A Jackson State University W.E.B. DuBois Honors Program graduate with a master's degree from UT's LBJ School, he's also earned fellowships at Carnegie Mellon's Heinz College and Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) Tamara sits down with Commissioner Travillion to discuss businesses and schools speaking different languages
• (03:32) Commissioner Travillion shares his first job as a lifeguard and key life lessons learned
• (06:22) Key workforce challenges keeping Commissioner Travillion up at night within K-12 education
• (08:11) Investing in workforce through partnerships between local government companies and schools
• (13:33) Benefits of after-school programs and how new Travis County funding connects students with employers
• (18:15) How November 2024 Tax Rate Election Proposition A will build pipeline of future talent
• (20:13) The one big challenge Commissioner Travillion wants solved in the community
• (24:02) Workforce trends on the horizon employers and education system should focus on
• (28:39) Commissioner Travillion discusses his desired legacy and fighting for what you believe in
• 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 off...