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Capital Idea

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Written by Katherine Kennedy Thursday, 07 June 2007

Group builds a workforce through changed lives

Through the efforts of Austin Interfaith and the Central Texas business community, Capital IDEA was formed in 1998 to help working families rise out of poverty by sponsoring educational services. Its mission is to connect unemployed and underemployed people to leading Central Texas employers.

“There was a realization that our community was filled with people who needed jobs, but had no skills or education and businesses that needed skilled workers,” marketing/communications coordinator Anna Lamb said. “Our company has since grown to about 25 employees and has supported over 600 graduates.”

The application process for entering the program is used to weed out those not committed to completing the program. Potential participants must first attend orientation, which discusses what the program is and who qualifies. Next, they speak with a staff member to decide what career path to take, establish their level of commitment and sign up for testing to assess basic skills, including education level and aptitude. Then, they meet with a career counselor to identify strengths and weaknesses and discuss the education path involved for particular careers. Finally, they meet with a director who makes a final decision for admission.

Qualifications include being at or below 200 percent poverty level, at least 18 years old, a Texas resident and legal to work in the United States.

Participants at any education level can seek help from Capital IDEA. They participate in intensive day-long classes. A career counselor is assigned to each participant and works with them on a weekly basis to help balance school, work and family life.

“We offer educational sponsorship and wrap-around services for our participants to get an education and then get jobs,” Lamb said. “We work with institutions that give the best possible education, offer the curriculum we need and are the most feasible to attend.”

Capital IDEA works with colleges in the area to ensure they are offering education in the areas in which skilled workers are needed in the community. Lamb said success is guaranteed to its graduates.

“Once participants are finished with classes, we prepare and place them in interviews. One hundred percent of our participants get jobs when they complete our programs. They are guaranteed to get a minimum of $15 per hour, full benefits and the opportunity for career growth at their new place of work,” Lamb said. “Each participant is equal to a $1 million outcome.”