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Map of expanded career choices shows four counties: Williamson, Travis, Hays, and Bastrop. Residents from all counties can choose from three career field options: healthcare, tech, or trades.

Expanded Career List for Hays and Bastrop

UPDATED: September 19, 2022 BIG NEWS — Extension approved! In January 2022, we announced we had expanded the list of career opportunities available to applicants from Hays and Bastrop counties. This expansion was set to expire at the end of September 2022, but has now been extended a full year! The new expiration is September […]

Thank you, Steve Jackosbs, for more than 23 years!

Published: 2021 Annual Report

To Our Retiring Executive Director : Thank you, Steve Jackobs, for more than 23 years! Dear Friends, Since its founding, the road to opportunity and success has been paved by the vision and dedication of Capital IDEA’s founding Executive Director, Steve Jackobs. Some of the organization’s most proud accomplishments during his tenure were Steve’s successful […]

Leadership transition - we're welcoming a new Executive Director.

Press Release: Executive Director Announcements

From Left: Alyssia Palacios-Woods, Eva Rios-Lleverino, and Steve Jackobs. MARCH 30, 2022 Contact: Amy Silvey, Director of Development and Communications 512-485-9353, asilvey@capitalidea.org Upcoming Transitions at Capital IDEA Capital IDEA announces Alyssia Palacios-Woods as its new Executive Director, effective July 1. Founding Executive Director, Steve Jackobs, is stepping down on March 31 to devote himself to […]

Our income eligibility has been adjusted for a limited time.

Expanded Income Eligibility for Travis County & City of Austin

FEBRUARY 21, 2022 BIG NEWS — Residents of Travis County and/or City of Austin have until September 2022 to qualify under our NEW income guidelines and secure their seats in our Career Expressway program. The Career Expressway offers full tuition assistance, textbooks, and more. Residents who apply and get accepted during this temporary extension period […]

Nurse graduates together at their pinning ceremony standing in front of Capital IDEA's banner that reads: "Be Your Own Hero"

Press Release: Retiring After More Than 23 Years of Service

JANUARY 13, 2022 Contact: Amy Silvey, Director of Development and Communications 512-485-9353, asilvey@capitalidea.org Capital IDEA announces the retirement of founding Executive Director, Steve Jackobs AUSTIN, TEXAS – JANUARY 13, 2022 – After serving as Capital IDEA’s Executive Director since 1998, Steve Jackobs announced his plan to retire in August of this year. “After more than […]

Published: 2020 Annual Report

JUNE 23, 2021 Viewing note: the video components may take a second to load. The digital format is mobile-friendly, but for the best experience, we recommend viewing full screen on your computer, laptop, or tablet. The wait is over– Capital IDEA’s 2020 Annual Report is here! And while you may be understandably hesitant to revisit […]

Stat: Supply of RNs in Central Texas is projected to grow by 38.1% between 2018 and 2032, while demand grows by 45.9%. source: Texas Regional Nursing Trends by Texas Health and Human Services.

Partner Spotlight: Our Nurses Aren’t Just Tired — They’re Exhausted

By Jeff Sanchez | FEBRUARY 3, 2021 “There’s a real problem here. Why aren’t we solving it?” When she agreed to take on the project, research fellow Sherry Sybesma had no idea there was a problem at all. But after a year spent digging into the complex issues surrounding our region’s nursing shortage, she couldn’t […]

Published: Capital IDEA’s 2019 Annual Report

JUNE 26, 2020 Dear Friends, As the Chair of Capital IDEA’s Board of Directors, I’m pleased to share our 2019 Annual Report — Read Now ». In previous years, this would have arrived in your inbox in April, but this year has been different for us all. As I revisit 2019 through the lens of […]

A Letter From Our Leaders

JUNE 5, 2020 The deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Michael Ramos, and so many, many others confront us forcefully and inescapably with the violent racism endured by our Black neighbors, colleagues, students, friends, and family. We must not forget. It demands that we listen deeply and attentively. We must act. We, as individuals and […]

Season for Caring: Alicia Gonzales

PUBLISHED DECEMBER 4, 2019 This year Capital IDEA student, Alicia Gonzales, is a featured family in the Austin American Statesman Season for Caring. Since 1999, Statesman readers have generously donated more than 11 million dollars in cash and in-kind goods and services, all of which have benefited the featured families and hundreds of others like […]

Published: Capital IDEA’s 20th Anniversary Annual Report

Dear Friends, This past year, Capital IDEA celebrated 20 years of lifting adults out of poverty and into living wage careers through education. As an avid runner, I can say that leading Capital IDEA these past two decades has been much like a marathon with progress coming one step at a time. We’ve not only […]

Published: Capital IDEA’s 2017 Annual Report

Highlights From an Oustanding Year 2017 ANNUAL REPORT Capital IDEA’s 2017 Annual Report is now available online. We are proud to share these highlights from an outstanding year of lifting working adults out of poverty and into living wage careers through education. We hope you enjoy reading about student successes because this report is chock-full […]

Partner Spotlight: A Day in the Community with United Way of Williamson County

PUBLISHED APRIL 27, 2017 Capital IDEA is honored to be a grantee of the United Way of Williamson County. UWWC unites people and organizations to build stronger communities and improve lives. By stabilizing families, helping kids succeed academically, and empowering good health, United Way is working towards a community where people thrive, lead healthy lives, […]

Escalating Gains: The Full Report

Dear Friends, We are pleased to share the below report with you. The success of any workforce development program is cause for celebration, and we are especially thrilled for the success of Project QUEST. The leaders of COPS/Metro and the San Antonio business community generously shared the Project QUEST model with Austin Interfaith and business […]

Published: Capital IDEA's 2016 Annual Report

As Capital IDEA approaches its 20th year, we are seeing impacts extend beyond simply good careers for our graduates and new skilled workers for the economy. We celebrated our 1300th graduate last year, Amy Lopez-Escobedo—she not only has gone from struggling in unskilled, low-income jobs to becoming a Registered Nurse, she has now become a […]

Partner Spotlight: Central Health

PUBLISHED DECEMBER 20, 2016 VIDEO: An Austin mom is giving her family a holiday gift they’ll never forget – she graduated from Austin Community College District Associate Degree Nursing Program this week and now plans to help Travis County solve its nursing shortage. Central Health partnered with the City of Austin to secure federal dollars, […]

Capital IDEA: Information for Former ITT Tech Students

In response to the news that many Austin area students have been impacted by the shutdown of ITT Tech, Capital IDEA has put together three short lists of recommendations for those students who wish to move forward in their education and careers. 3 Excellent Education Options in the Greater Austin Area Capital IDEA has worked […]

100 Paid Internships Added to Our Tech Career Programs

With support from local employers, Capital IDEA and Austin Community College, 100 paid internships are available for three Tech Career programs. Internships are an advantage in this booming industry – training will now include a year of paid, real work experience. As with our other sponsored careers, Capital IDEA fully funds tuition, books and fees […]

Commissioners Court IT Introduces Interns

Partner Spotlight: Travis County Interns and Investment in the Community

PUBLISHED JUNE 27, 2016 Travis County is a long-time investor in Capital IDEA. Funds from Travis County are given to allow Capital IDEA to deliver services that help individuals improve workplace skills, obtain employment, succeed in the workplace, and help employers secure a skilled workforce. In 2016, Travis County increased their engagement with a decision […]

Partner Spotlight: Impact Austin Members Love Capital IDEA Moms!

PUBLISHED JUNE 15, 2016 Impact Austin members have selected Capital IDEA as a grant recipient twice! In 2009 an award of $102,000 funded college tuition, books and fees for students; and a 2016 award of $94,000 will allow Capital IDEA to serve more rural moms pursuing the education to secure a great career. Impact Austin […]