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Overview
When businesses close plants or lay off workers, Texas Workforce Solutions can provide immediate on-site services to assist workers facing job losses. Rapid Response provides early intervention assistance designed to transition workers to their next employment as soon as possible. Rapid Response services are tailored to each company, based on the needs of the affected employees.
Requesting Services
Any Texas employer laying off workers may request Rapid Response services for their employees. If the number of affected workers is small, employers should direct the workers to their Workforce Solutions Office where they can receive Rapid Response services. For larger numbers of affected workers, onsite services are available.
The employer must make Rapid Response services available to affected workers if a Trade Adjustment Assistance petition has been filed.
If your business is in need of Rapid Response services, contact your Workforce Solutions Office.
Rapid Response Services
Rapid Response services, whether provided at the employer’s site or at a Workforce Solutions office, cover the following topics.
- WorkInTexas.com: Job search assistance through the state’s online job matching service serves as a focal point for many of the workshops. Registering in WorkInTexas.com is required for receiving unemployment benefits.
- Unemployment insurance: Information on basic eligibility for unemployment benefits and how to apply.
- Job search assistance such as:
- Accessing community resources
- Job application and résumé preparation
- Assessing accomplishments and skills
- Résumé development lab
- Interviewing skills and effective interviewing techniques
- Coping with job loss
- Labor market information: Includes a target and demand occupations list along with information on other occupational resources.
- Group stress management seminars: About managing the stress associated with job loss, its impact on the family unit and on maintaining community relationships. Available on a regularly scheduled and/or as-needed basis.
- Group financial management seminars: About developing financial planning skills to maintain household and consumer finances, and negotiating manageable payment schedules with mortgage, finance and various lending institutions.
