Capital I.D.E.A.  

Investing in the Development and Education of Adults

Austin Interfaith leaders met in congregation fellowship halls and in homes and discussed what they thought was necessary for people to earn to support families and raise their children.  They felt that it took $10 an hour to accomplish this, but that many people--even though they had good work habits--did not have the skills needed for those jobs.

Austin Interfaith leaders began to meet with employers to look for jobs that would pay that amount.  After meeting with over 100 employers and hearing that there were many such jobs going unfilled, they concluded that there is a need for a labor market intermediary in Austin.

Capital I.D.E.A. has begun to function in this respect.  Austin Interfaith leaders interview candidates for training from their neighborhoods.

Austin Interfaith leaders have set for key goals for themselves:

• For Capital I.D.E.A. to recruit, enroll, and train 300 workers in the first year
• To create a workers' association for Capital I.D.E.A. participants and alumni/ae
• To build strategic alliances with other allies in wage and training issues
• To impact state policy on training issues in the Legislature                                                    

To learn more about Capital IDEA, please see their web page: www.capitalidea.org