Job losses related to the COVID-19 crisis are mounting locally and throughout Texas. San Antonio saw a record-low unemployment in February of 3.1%. In May, that rate jumped to 12.7%.
What is the current state of the economy and jobs in San Antonio? What's being done to help unemployed residents get better, higher-paying jobs in the wake of this pandemic?
More than 3.3 million Texans have filed for unemployment relief since the COVID-19 health crisis began in mid-March, and the unemployment rate this July was more than double what it was last year.
In November, San Antonians will have the option to vote for part of the city's sales tax to go towards workforce training. City officials say the amount will cover training for 40,000 job seekers, with a focus on those who have lost their jobs during the pandemic.
An SA Works report shows that several of San Antonio's biggest industries — health care, cybersecurity and manufacturing — will most likely be able to offer high-paying opportunities, but what are the next steps?
Will there be job training partnerships? How soon will San Antonio be able to get back to a low unemployment rate? How could a partial sales tax benefit job training?
Guests:
- Keith Phillips, assistant vice president and senior economist for the San Antonio branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and professor of economics at the University of Texas at San Antonio
- Juan Solis, chairman of Workforce Solutions Alamo
- Michele Boggs, executive vice president of business development for the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation
"The Source" is a live call-in program airing Mondays through Thursdays from 12-1 p.m. Leave a message before the program at (210) 615-8982. During the live show, call 833-877-8255, email thesource@tpr.org or tweet @TPRSource.
*This interview was recorded on Tuesday, September 1.
