New scholarships aim to address local hiring gap

• The scholarships will target recent high school graduates and people looking to upskill for their existing careers.

Why it matters: Companies are booking it to Austin and seeking a highly skilled workforce. But if there aren't enough prepared workers, businesses will have to hire outside of the local talent pool.

• Workforce Solutions' officials say the initiative will encourage Austin-area employers to look within the community for highly qualified and skilled labor.

What they're saying: "These scholarships will provide 1,000 Austinites with the opportunity to gain valuable skills in our most in-demand industries that will open doors for them in one of the most booming job landscapes in the country," Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, said.

Flashback: Earlier this month, Austin Community College began offering a Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering Technology to help graduates fill the growing number of jobs in Central Texas' booming manufacturing industry.