We Salute You! Texas Workforce Commission Celebrates Texas Veterans for Their Service and Encourages Employers to Hire Veterans
Date: Nov. 5, 2019
Media Contact: Cisco Gamez
Phone: 512-463-8556
AUSTIN – In honor of Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 11, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) would like to thank all veterans of all branches for their sacrifice and service, their bravery shown and the example they set to all. To all those who have served and continue to serve, we are grateful for your valor, sacrifice and service to preserve and protect our country’s values. We salute you!
Meanwhile, our veterans should never have to struggle with finding work as they transition to civilian life. The current number of veterans in Texas is estimated to be 1.6 million, and an estimated 864,000 of these veterans are eligible for work. TWC encourages Texas employers to hire our veterans and take advantage of the unique talents, skills and discipline that our nation’s returning veterans provide in a variety of industries and occupations.
This Veterans Day offers us the opportunity to not only celebrate the courage of our veterans in Texas, and help employers learn the benefits of hiring veterans, but also to reaffirm our strong commitment to help propel our nation's heroes back into the workforce.
TWC encourages veterans to seek out the many programs and services offered by TWC and its Workforce Solutions partners to assist them as they transition to the civilian workforce. The leadership skills, teamwork and discipline that our veterans gain through military service translate well to the civilian workforce in fields ranging from engineering to medicine.
TWC is committed to working with its partners to assist transitioning veterans by providing priority service at all Workforce Solutions offices, job placement advantages and training through a variety of initiatives and programs just for veterans. In addition, employers hiring veterans may benefit from a federal tax reduction through the Work Opportunity Tax Credit program.
TWC invites Texas employers and veterans to participate in the Eighth Annual Hiring Red, White & You! (HRWY) statewide hiring events on Thursday, Nov. 7. TWC sponsors these events in partnership with 28 local workforce boards, the Texas Veterans Commission, Texas Medical Center and Gov. Greg Abbott. These hiring events connect veterans and their spouses with employers across Texas who have job openings and wish to hire veterans to fill those jobs. Over 12,300 job seekers and over 2,100 employers attended the statewide HRWY job fairs in 2018. Over the past seven years, Hiring Red, White & You! has connected more than 84,153 job seekers, including 35,485 Veterans and 48,668 spouses, to 14,420 employers and over 2,027 same-day hires.
Other TWC programs and services for veterans include:
Texas Operation Welcome Home
The Texas Operation Welcome Home website, texasworkforce.org/texas-operation-welcome-home, spotlights TWC’s Skills for Transition Program that assists separating military service members who are seeking employment in the civilian workforce. The Texas Operation Welcome Home website also includes information about our “We Hire Vets” program that recognizes Texas employers for their commitment to hiring veterans.
Texas Veterans Leadership Program
TWC’s Texas Veterans Leadership Program helps connect veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan to networks and resources tailored to address veterans’ needs ranging from employment and training to medical care, mental health and counseling, veterans' benefits and more. These connections are made through peer advisors known as Veterans Resource and Referral Specialists that are located throughout the state.
College Credit for Heroes
TWC’s College Credit for Heroes initiative allows veterans to apply the knowledge and experience gained in the military toward college credit, helping their transition into the civilian workforce. The program launched in 2011 with the goal of recognizing that veterans come equipped with knowledge and skills gained through military service that apply to the civilian workforce in many industries. To date, 48 colleges and universities have partnered with TWC on this initiative by awarding college credit and creating accelerated pathways to degrees and certificates in academic areas such as medical, security, energy, information technology, fire investigation and logistics.
Texas Skills to Work
TWC’s online military to civilian occupation translator, www.texasskillstowork.com, helps service members match military skills and experience to civilian occupations.
WorkInTexas.com
Veterans are given priority access to certain jobs on TWC’s comprehensive online employment resource, WorkInTexas.com. In addition, employers can post opportunities and request job applicants who are veterans.
Please join us in honoring our veterans on Veterans Day and every day. For a full list of veterans services visit: texasworkforce.org/veterans.
Sincerely,
Bryan Daniel, Chairman and Commissioner Representing the Public
Julian Alvarez, Commissioner Representing Labor
Aaron Demerson, Commissioner Representing Employers
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The Texas Workforce Commission is a state agency dedicated to helping Texas employers, workers and communities prosper economically. For details on TWC and the services it offers in coordination with its network of local workforce development boards, call 512-463-8942 or visit www.texasworkforce.org. To receive notifications about TWC programs and services subscribe to our email updates.
