Professional Development

The Visit Austin Foundation serves as a resource for the hospitality, music and tourism community in the greater Austin area. One of our primary objectives is to support workforce development in the tourism and hospitality sector by providing academic scholarships, career and professional development scholarships, education and job training opportunities and various hospitality industry learning platforms.

Our Profesional Development Programs

Austin Tourism Insider Training
The Austin Tourism Insider (ATI) Program is designed to support Austin tourism and hospitality employees, corporate new hire onboarding, and Austin hospitality enthusiasts.

Executive Education Series
Visit Austin Foundation is collaborating with Texas McCombs Executive Education to offer a new leadership training series for the Austin hospitality community.

Travis Early College High School
P-TECH High School for Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary
Travis Early College High School's P-TECH program allows students the opportunity to earn an associate degree or Level 1 Certificate and industry certifications by high school graduation — all at no cost to the student. The program includes mentorship opportunities and hands-on learning with partners and leaders in the Austin hospitality industry.

Professionals in a class room setting looking at a presentation.
Austin Tourism Insider. Credit Visit Austin.

Local Programs and Industry Associations

Austin Community College
Austin Community College provides hospitality and culinary programs tailored to equip students with skills for the dynamic tourism and hospitality industries.

Austin Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA)
AHLA supports the hospitality industry through certification programs, scholarships, and professional development initiatives.

Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International - Austin Chapter (HSMAI)
HSMAI provides tools, resources, and education to advance sales, marketing, and revenue management in hospitality.

International Live Events Association - Austin Chapter (ILEA)
ILEA Austin Chapter fosters professional development and networking for event industry professionals through workshops and mentorship programs.

St. Edward’s University Career and Professional Development
St. Edward’s University offers career coaching, resume building, and career exploration services for students and professionals seeking to advance in the hospitality industry.

Texas Restaurant Association - Greater Austin Chapter (GATRA)
The Texas Restaurant Association - Greater Austin Chapter offers resources, education and scholarships to support professionals in Austin’s food and beverage industry.

Culinary student and chef cheersing sliders they made together. Travis Early College High School PTECH Student with Austin chef Jakub Czyszczon. Credit Arts & Labor.

Job Search and Support

City of Austin Workforce Development
Connecting Austin area residents with training opportunities, job search help, resume assistance, interview skills, earning a GED and more.

Dress for Success
Would you like help with your job search or interview preparation? Dress For Success Austin offers career coaching and image consulting for women via phone, email or video call.

Hcareers
Hcareers specializes in matching hospitality talent with employers, offering a vast array of job listings. The site utilizes AI technology to align candidates with positions based on skills, salary expectations, and company culture.

Indeed Flex
Indeed Flex is a workforce marketplace that connects job seekers with flexible, temporary and part-time job opportunities across various industries. It allows workers to browse and apply for shifts that fit their schedules while providing access to competitive pay rates and diverse job roles.

Poached Jobs
Poached is a dedicated hospitality jobs marketplace connecting industry professionals with employers across the United States.

Texas Workforce Commission
For job seekers, Texas Workforce Commission offers career development information, job-search resources, training programs and, as appropriate, unemployment benefits. While targeted populations receive intensive assistance to overcome barriers to employment, all Texans can benefit from the services offered by the partners of Texas Workforce Solutions.