As fuel costs surge nationwide, San Antonio\u2019s workforce program is stepping in with transportation and emergency support to keep participants on track.<\/p>\n
SAN ANTONIO \u2014 A sharp rise in gas prices is hitting wallets across the country\u2014and in San Antonio, it\u2019s also creating new challenges for people trying to build a better future.<\/p>\n
According to AAA, the national average for gas has jumped from $2.98 to $4.14 since the start of the Iran conflict\u2014an increase of more than a dollar. Locally, the impact is just as noticeable. Data from AAA shows that the average price in San Antonio jumped from $3.17 to $3.95 over the past month.<\/p>\n
While many drivers are feeling the strain, the impact is especially tough for those enrolled in the city\u2019s Ready to Work program.<\/p>\n
City leaders say March saw the highest number of transportation assistance requests since last September, signaling a growing need as participants struggle to afford trips to classes, training sites and job placements.<\/p>\n
To keep people moving forward, the program has had to adapt quickly.<\/p>\n
Support now includes gas cards, bus passes and even emergency financial assistance\u2014resources that can mean the difference between staying enrolled or dropping out.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about keeping people on the right path,\u201d said Luke Simons with the city\u2019s Workforce Development Office. \u201cWhen something like gas prices impacts them, we want to make sure they know there\u2019s an option to ask for help.\u201d<\/p>\n
For many participants, time is already tight. Those in intensive programs\u2014like nursing\u2014often can\u2019t balance full-time work while completing training, making rising transportation costs even more difficult to manage.<\/p>\n
Workforce partners like Project QUEST say they\u2019re seeing those struggles firsthand. Career coaches are working closely with participants to find solutions, from coordinating rides to covering transportation costs when needed.<\/p>\n
And the effort appears to be paying off.<\/p>\n
Since launching, more than 4,500 participants have been placed into approved jobs, including over 1,000 in just the past four months. Those jobs span industries like healthcare, construction, IT and manufacturing\u2014and come with an average salary increase of more than $33,700 compared to when participants first entered the program.<\/p>\n
City leaders say that momentum shows Ready to Work is delivering real results\u2014not just for individuals, but for the broader community.<\/p>\n
The program, funded by a voter-approved sales tax in 2020, has generated more than $235 million in revenue, with funds expected to support participants through 2030.<\/p>\n
For now, as gas prices continue to fluctuate, the focus remains on one goal: making sure cost barriers don\u2019t derail opportunity.<\/p>\n