Mayor Ron Nirenberg Reflects on Legacy and the Future of “San Antonio Ready to Work” in Final Address
As Mayor Ron Nirenberg prepares to conclude his eight-year tenure leading the seventh-largest city in the U.S., he leaves behind a powerful legacy centered on opportunity, equity, and economic empowerment. In a heartfelt address featured in the June 2025 edition of the San Antonio Ready to Work newsletter, Nirenberg highlighted the transformational impact of the Ready to Work (RTW) program — an initiative he calls “how we end poverty in San Antonio.”
Vision Born from Crisis
Conceived during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, RTW was more than a jobs initiative — it was a bold investment in San Antonio’s people and future. Backed by 77% of voters, the program was designed to break cycles of generational poverty by providing residents with subsidized tuition, support services, and training in high-demand careers.
“We should invest in the people of the city so they can achieve their full potential,” Nirenberg said. “That’s how we end poverty in San Antonio.”
Under his leadership, RTW created a streamlined pathway for individuals to overcome barriers, gain education and job skills, and secure quality employment with a minimum of $15/hour and full benefits.
Measurable Success
Now entering its fourth year, RTW is already producing results:
- Nearly 12,000 people are currently enrolled
- Over 3,800 have completed training
- More than 2,700 graduates have secured new jobs
- Graduates are seeing an average annual income increase of $30,000, bringing the average to $44,154/year
These outcomes represent not only numbers, but thousands of lives changed — parents, workers, and families stepping into a more secure and prosperous future.
Expanding Partnerships and Programs
RTW has expanded to include strategic programs like:
- On-the-Job Training (OJT)
- Incumbent Worker Training (IWT)
- Pay It Forward Program
New partners, including Goodwill San Antonio and Hallmark University, have joined existing collaborators to provide intake, case management, support services, resume building, and job placement — with vital supports like childcare assistance built in to remove barriers to success.
A Lasting Legacy
As he leaves office, Mayor Nirenberg hopes his signature program will continue to uplift San Antonio for generations.
“I hope that years from now, people will look back on San Antonio Ready to Work as the pathway to economic empowerment and the opportunity for families to thrive in our city,” he said.
His final message is clear: investing in people isn’t just good policy — it’s how you build a stronger, more resilient city. Through Ready to Work, that vision is now becoming reality.