San Antonio council approves funding for Ready to Work contracts and advances PreKSA expansion

The San Antonio City Council on May 8 approved a package of contracts to expand the Ready to Work workforce training program and heard presentations on PreKSA’s proposed FY2026 operating budget and planning for a new Southside PreKSA site.

Council approved execution of Ready to Work contracts not to exceed $5,873,760.40 to fund employer awards, on-the-job training and related services aimed at placing participants in local jobs. The council’s vote followed a multi-hour presentation and public comment by employers, training providers and social-service organizations that described pilot results and employer demand.

The Ready to Work contract authorization matters because the program is linked to city efforts to reduce barriers to employment and connect residents to living-wage jobs, training and support services. Presenters said pilot rounds produced high retention rates and that employer partners had committed to wages at roughly $20–$22 per hour for trainees.

During the meeting PreKSA staff briefed councilmembers on the program’s FY2026 proposed operating budget and plans to open a new southside site. PreKSA said it operates model classrooms, serves children from birth through pre-K and provides wraparound supports for families. The presentation described the FY2026 operating plan as “conservative,” with a projected fund balance the program plans to carry forward. Staff said the southside PreKSA site would open in stages beginning in October and expand as the facility is prepared.

Supporters of Ready to Work — including employers such as Boeing, Central Electric and local training partners — told council the program helps fill staffing shortages in trades, manufacturing, health care and utilities. Employers cited examples of trainees advancing into stable careers and emphasized on-the-job training partnerships and reimbursements to employers that hire program participants.

City staff and councilmembers highlighted program metrics during discussion: a pilot cohort of about 70 participants; combined retention rates reported around 91 percent with 86 percent retention for on-the-job training (figures reported by staff); average OJT/IWT hourly wages cited at about $22.15 and $22.12 respectively; and a proposed contract round to involve roughly 75 employer awards and a planned target of more than 2,500 worker engagements (figures as stated to council). Staff said the city will require employer reporting and will track participant outcomes for 12 months after placement.

Councilmembers and public commenters also discussed equity and geographic distribution of placements, asking staff to ensure more intentional outreach to districts with lower access to jobs. Several speakers urged continued partnerships with community-based organizations to reach veterans, people with disabilities and youth exiting foster care.

The council voted to authorize the Ready to Work contracts and moved the PreKSA budget items forward toward adoption; staff said the formal adoption steps will return to council on May 21 and May 29 for final approvals.

The action leaves the city poised to scale training and child-care access concurrent with employer demand, while councilmembers pressed staff to provide follow-up reports on placement geography and six- and 12-month participant outcomes.