Skills Enhancement Initiative Career Tools
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Overview
Thank you for your interest in the Texas Workforce Commission’s (TWC) Skills Enhancement initiative. We are excited for you to take advantage of this great opportunity!
Our goal is to help you get back to work as quickly as possible by providing tools to explore your interests, access to high value skills training, and referrals to quality jobs with Texas employers.
The first step to take part in this initiative is to update your WorkInTexas.com account. WorkInTexas.com is a powerful online job matching and workforce services system.
Individuals seeking a new job, different job, or an additional job can post their résumé, search job listings (including Texas state agency jobs), apply for jobs, get information about the job market, and receive a variety of other services through WorkInTexas.com.
If you need help accessing WorkInTexas.com or updating your account, contact your local Workforce Solutions office. To find the local workforce office nearest you, visit our Workforce Solutions Directory.
We encourage you to start thinking about the skills you would like to enhance for your next career move. If you are unsure what that might be, TWC offers several resources to help:
Metrix Online Learning Platform
Texas Workforce Commission has partnered with Metrix Learning to help Texas residents brush up on skills to prepare for better employment opportunities. The Metrix online learning platform provides Texans free online job readiness courses.
The Metrix online learning platform provides unlimited access to more than 5,000 Skillsoft courses used by many Fortune 500 companies. Courses are broken into 30- to 60-minute modules and are presented in English and Spanish. Courses include:
- Customer Service
- Microsoft Office; Adobe; Quick Books
- Analytical Skills; Data Management/Reporting
- Time Management; Leadership Skills
- Health & Safety; First Aid
- And many more skill tracks.
Register
You can register through the Metrix Portal.
Or you can sign in using your WorkInTexas.com account by following these steps:
- Log in to WorkInTexas.com
- In the Directory of Services, click “Education Services” and “Online Learning Resources”.
- Click the blue Metrix Learning logo.
- Click the “Register here” link to automatically create your Metrix account and go to the Metrix site.
Metrix Customer Support
If you are having trouble accessing the Metrix online learning platform, contact Metrix Learning customer support directly:
- Email Support@MetrixLearning.com
- Call 518-462-1780 (toll free 844-691-1780), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
How to Access Manufacturing Courses in Metrix
Metrix Learning offers specialized content including 700+ courses in manufacturing topics such as math, blueprint reading, electrical, and green energy.
To access this content, please contact your local workforce solutions office to request a specialized manufacturing license in Metrix. To find the local workforce office nearest you, visit our Workforce Solutions Directory. You can also email your request to TWC at skillsenhancement@twc.texas.gov.
How to Access Professional Certification Courses and Exams
Did you know? You can receive free professional certification training provided by the Texas Workforce Commission, in partnership with Metrix Learning. You can take training for over 100 industry certifications including:
- CompTIA A+
- Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)
- Cisco Certified Technician (CCT)
- CompTIA Network+
- CompTIA Security+
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
- Six Sigma/LEAN
- Human Resources
Taking certification courses through Metrix Learning is flexible and free for all Texans. Funding is available to sponsor certification exams for eligible participants. For program details, contact certifications@metrixlearning.com.
You can also fill out and submit the a Google Form to Metrix.
Metrix is making it even easier to get your questions about the sponsored certification exam opportunity answered by opening up 'Office Hours!'
To attend 'Office Hours' you can call 646-389-3421 during the designated times:
- Wednesdays - 5pm to 6pm (CT) - Geared towards new participants (those who have NOT been approved for the certification yet)
- Saturdays - 10am to11am (CT) - Weekly Certification Info Session (For those already approved for certification sponsorship)
If Metrix staff are unable to pick up at the time of your call during ‘Office Hours’, please leave a voicemail with your question and contact information and they will get back to you as soon as possible.
Texas Career Check
Career Check is a no-cost interest profiler that allows users to answer a series of 60 questions (takes approximately 10 minutes to complete) which will help you to link your career and task interests to occupation titles. The Metrix platform includes a skills assessment tool that allows customers to explore career pathways and add classes based on their skills gaps.
Texas Skills to Work
Texas Skills to Work is a tool that allows you to copy and paste (or upload) your resume, or simply list your skills and knowledge into the tool to gain information on:
- Occupation titles that align with those skills
- Other skills that closely align to those they listed to assist you with improving your resume
Digital Skills Building
Digital Skills Needed for Jobs
Technology affects how we live and work. Tech changes and more online businesses mean that more workers need digital skills. If you’re ready to build your digital skills to find a new job or move up in your job, TWC can help you!
“Digital skills building” means getting better at technology. TWC offers workshops and training that teach job seekers how to use technology like the internet and smartphones to get a job and be a valuable employee. Keep reading for more information on what TWC offers to help improve digital skills at no cost.
Texas Broadband Development Office Survey and Mapping Tool
The Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO) has created a survey and mapping tool to identify barriers to accessing the internet and other digital services. Please visit the BDO Survey and Mapping Tool site for more information about how to participate in the survey.
Digital Skills Building Resources
TWC’s Workforce Solutions offices are places for job seekers to get services and information on training programs that could lead to a job. Workforce Solutions offices have office equipment like computers that you can use at no cost. They also offer workshops on improving digital skills. Job seekers can learn how to find nearby workshops, community groups, and training programs. You can also get help on job searching, training, and services that pay for supplies, transportation, and child care. To find a Workforce Solutions office near you, use our office locator.
Adult Education & Literacy
If you qualify, you can sign up for the TWC Adult Education & Literacy (AEL) program. This program can help you make your digital skills better. Read below to find a nearby AEL provider and get more information about the AEL providers all over Texas.
You can find more information about the AEL program on TWC’s Adult Education Students web page.
The Distance Education Professional Development Center (DEPDC) offers distance education, online training, technical help, and other services for AEL teachers and adult students. DEPDC also has a call center for tech help either by phone or live chat.
Online Learning
TWC works with Metrix Learning™, an online company with over 5,000 courses to help job seekers improve their skills so they can find a job. Anyone who lives in Texas can take as many Metrix courses as they want at no cost. Metrix has courses that help people sharpen their digital skills.
Another no-cost option to build digital skills is DigitalLearn.org. DigitalLearn offers digital skills help and training. The website has many self-paced courses, such as basic skills like using a computer and searching the web. Each training module is a video with a speaker. Most of the videos are 6 to 22 minutes long.
Regional Specific Tools
If you are interested in finding out labor market information specific to your region, the following tools may be helpful:
- Texas Career Check’s Occupation Trends page
Texas Career Check’s Occupational Trends page can help you to discover the top 25 “Hot Jobs” in your area.
- Texas Labor Market Information
For a more in-depth look at labor market trends in your region, including which industries are projected to grow, check out the Texas Labor Market Information page.
Local Workforce Board
Finally, your local workforce office is ready and available to help connect you with jobs that are in high demand in your area. To find the local workforce office nearest you, visit our Workforce Solutions Directory. We encourage you to visit your local Workforce Solutions website to learn more about the no-cost services available to you.
