SAN ANTONIO  (Feb. 1, 2017) — VIA Metropolitan Transit will join more than 100 local employers on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, for San Antonio’s second annual SA Works Job Shadow Day. The program, held in partnership with Junior Achievement, matches nearly 3,000 San Antonio-area students with local workplaces for a day of onsite experience-based learning.

“VIA’s participation in Job Shadow Day reflects our ongoing commitment to connecting our community and providing access to opportunity,” VIA President/CEO Jeffrey C. Arndt said. “Participating in Job Shadow Day allows us to share career pathways available across diverse sectors of the transit industry, while also communicating the value of VIA’s programs and services.”

SA Works has engaged nearly all school districts across Bexar County as well as charter and private schools to match students with employers across various sectors including construction and engineering, medical, hospitality, IT, energy, government and more. The citywide event provides students insight into different industries and career paths, as well as skills employers value by connecting them with local businesses. The collaboration between participating companies and education is what makes Job Shadow Day a success.

“The matching of employers with students has been very purposeful to ensure that students are visiting with employers that match their classes and career interests,” said SA Works Executive Director Romanita Matta-Barrera. “We are thankful to our businesses and employers who have made it possible to surpass our goal by opening the doors of their operations to students who represent their future talent.”

About VIA Metropolitan Transit
VIA Metropolitan Transit provides regional multimodal transportation options that connect our community to opportunity, support economic vitality, and enhance quality of life throughout our region. VIA, recognized by the Texas Transit Association as the outstanding Metro Transit Authority of the year, serves 14 member cities and the unincorporated areas of Bexar County, operating seven days a week on 90 routes. In 2015, VIA provided 42.2 million rides across the region. VIA’s AAA bond rating reflects the organization’s sound management and financial practices. Visit www.VIAinfo.net for more information. Follow us on http://www.facebook.com/VIATransitwww.Twitter.com/VIA_Transit, and www.Instagram.com/VIATransit.

About SA Works
Modeled after the US Chamber of Commerce Supply Chain model and the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC), SA Works is an industry led coalition assembled to develop a comprehensive human capital strategy to fill the community’s most pressing talent needs.  The intent of SA Works, using the collective impact model, is to align the full extent of the community’s resources to achieve optimum employment for the businesses, industries, and residents of San Antonio and Bexar County. For more information, visit www.sanantonioworks.org.