Published on April 15, 2026
Return on Investment Study projects $11.8 billion thanks to voter-approved program.
SAN ANTONIO (April 15, 2026) – A new Return on Investment (ROI) study highlights the impact of the voter-approved San Antonio Ready to Work (RTW) training and education program, revealing $11.8 billion of projected economic benefits for the local community. Based on outcomes from 11,592 participants and 4,069 training graduates through October 2025, the study conducted by Dr. Steve Nivin, Economic Research and Consulting, and Dr. Belinda Roman, Roman Economics, provides a clear and data-driven picture of how this initiative is working for all of San Antonio by providing long-term career opportunities that are changing lives and strengthening the local economy.
“San Antonio Ready to Work represents the power of community investment,” City Manager Erik Walsh said. “San Antonio voters made a commitment to workforce development, and this study confirms that this program is making a positive impact on the earning capacity of our residents and strengthening our local workforce. It’s something that we should all be proud of.”
The study examines the ROI for every dollar spent and is broken into three categories:
Increases in income of Ready to Work participants throughout their careers
Economic impact of spending derived from the increases in income
Social savings for those who no longer require support from various social programs
According to the study, the projected amount of increased lifetime earnings is about $7.5 billion, which strengthens financial stability for the participants and their families. Since its launch in 2022, Ready to Work has helped over 4,500 participants access better-paying, in-demand jobs. Currently, participants are seeing an average annual salary increase of more than $33,500 when placed in an approved job. These increased earnings over their lifetime will also translate into an increased economic impact of spending and social savings for our city.
“The focus of San Antonio Ready to Work is to empower participants to increase their skills, obtain long-term careers, and improve their family’s quality of life,” Workforce Development Office Executive Director Mike Ramsey said. “Through the hard work of our community partners and the support from our elected officials, the Ready to Work Advisory Board and local employers, this study shows that Ready to Work is helping people overcome generational poverty through the power of employment.”
Beyond individual success, the program is also driving broader economic growth with an estimated $3.8 billion impact on the local economy. As these participants earn more, their ability to spend money in the local economy increases as well. The spending activity from those increased incomes over their entire careers is estimated to help support and sustain more than 39,000 jobs in the community and the workers in these jobs will also earn wages and benefits of an estimated $2 billion.
Additionally, the ROI highlights approximately $497 million in social savings. As participants transition away from reliance on public assistance programs such as Medicaid, CHIP and other support services, there is a decrease in the need for taxpayer dollars to fund these programs. Additionally, the program provides graduates greater opportunities for economic mobility with items such as housing stability.
The San Antonio Ready to Work program continues to demonstrate that investing in people yields measurable results. As participants build careers and contribute to the economy, San Antonio is seeing the ripple effects of a stronger workforce and a more prosperous future for all.
View the Return on Investment study. To learn more about the Ready to Work program, you can visit the program’s website. The San Antonio Ready to Work dashboard also provides real-time data on the current status of the program.