The City of San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation launched the Living Heritage Trades Academy (LHTA), a workforce development program designed to conserve traditional crafts, protect housing stock, and leverage heritage as an engine for economic empowerment. This session will explore the LHTA’s development, implementation, and community impact. It will highlight innovative approaches to program design, collaborative partnerships, and community-driven initiatives. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies for replicating this model in their own communities, advancing equity, inclusion, and workforce sustainability in preservation.