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San Antonio committee advances talks on apprenticeship target and workers advisory council, requests costs and timeline
Summary
After public comment from contractors, unions and trade groups, staff outlined a proposal to set apprentice utilization goals and create a trade advisory council. Council members asked staff for cost estimates, measurable metrics and a timeline; a motion to advance the proposals was made and seconded but no final vote is recorded.
The San Antonio Economic Development & Workforce Committee heard broad support Tuesday for a workers advisory council and a cautious approach to an apprenticeship-utilization requirement after members of the construction industry, unions and community groups urged inclusion of both organized and nonorganized workers.
Staff presented two related items: a draft apprenticeship-utilization target for city-funded construction work and the creation of a workers advisory (trade) council to advise on training, recruitment and policy. Mike Shannon, director of capital delivery, said staff’s recommendation is to convene an ‘‘investor/advisory group’’ that will draft detailed requirements and report back with consensus recommendations later in the process.
Why it matters: The proposals would change how the city conditions certain publicly financed construction projects, shaping local hiring, training opportunities and contractor selection. Public speakers said the policies could expand career pathways but also risk excluding experienced craft workers if training capacity and apprenticeship definitions are too narrow.
What was said: In public comment, Michelle Davis, identifying herself as ‘‘president of the consultants association,’’ warned that a 35 percent apprentice requirement ‘‘exceeds the capacity of training in San Antonio’’ and could exclude workers in crafts that need heavy equipment or specialty skills. Mike Shannon summarized staff’s view: staff discussed a sample 35 percent target and said the city currently reviews weekly payrolls and has labor-protection language in its ordinance (updated 2008).
Council members pressed staff for specifics. Several asked who would serve on the advisory council and whether meetings could be scheduled at times accessible to working tradespeople. One council member asked directly, ‘‘¿Cuánto sería el costo?’’ — requesting an estimate of administrative and compliance costs before any implementation decision.
Outcome and next steps: A motion to advance consideration of agenda items 2 and 3 and to form the proposed investor/advisory group was made and seconded; committee members then began detailed discussion. Staff told the committee it will return with a proposed membership structure, recommended metrics and an estimated cost and timeline, aiming to present recommendations for committee review by Q3 of fiscal year 2026 (April–June). The transcript records committee discussion and the motion being seconded but does not record a final committee vote to adopt an apprenticeship percentage or an ordinance change.
What remains unresolved: The exact apprentice-utilization percentage, administrative costs, enforcement approach and final advisory council membership were left for further work. The committee asked staff to provide a preliminary cost estimate and an implementation timeline by the next update.
Quote: ‘‘Propone 35 por 100 requisitos de aprendiz,’’ said Michelle Davis, ‘‘[which] not only exceeds training capacity in San Antonio, but excludes many craft workers.’’ Mike Shannon said staff will work with stakeholders and return with a recommendation.
The committee continued discussion and directed staff to convene the investor/advisory group and deliver more detailed proposals and financial estimates before any formal vote.
