Recent Press Releases

September 22, 2022 – ApprenticeshipTexas Conference Connects Employers with Apprenticeship Resources to Strengthen Economy

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) today began the sixth annual ApprenticeshipTexas Conference to connect employers, workforce development professionals, and educational institutions with the latest information and resources available to build and grow apprenticeship programs that strengthen the Texas workforce.

September 20, 2022 – TWC Recognizes Six Scholars for Adult Education and Literacy

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is pleased to recognize six individuals who acquired skills through TWC’s Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) program as Scholars of the Year during the AEL Fall Institute. Governor Greg Abbott proclaimed September 18-24, 2022, as Texas Adult Education and Family Literacy Week.

September 16, 2022 – Texas Continues Streak of Record-Setting Employment, Adds 16,400 Jobs in August

AUSTIN ⎯ In August 2022, Texas added a total of 16,400 nonfarm jobs. For the tenth consecutive month, the state set new employment highs as total nonfarm employment reached 13,530,100. Texas has added a total of 726,900 positions since August 2021. The Texas seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, an increase of 0.1 percentage points from July 2022. This marks the first increase in the unemployment rate since April 2020.

September 15, 2022 – “Texas Rising Star” Quality Rating Program Participation Becomes Requirement for TWC Child Care Providers

AUSTIN – Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) administers Texas Rising Star, a quality rating and improvement system, for all providers participating in the TWC Child Care Services (CCS) program, which provides financial aid for child care to families needing assistance.

September 1, 2022 – Labor Day Message to the Texas Workforce from TWC

AUSTIN – This Labor Day, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) wants to recognize the state’s workforce for making Texas the best place to live and work. Texas is known for many attributes: big opportunities for businesses and individuals; a talented, dedicated workforce; a pioneering spirit; and independence that lends to ingenuity and excellence. 

August 19, 2022 – July 2022 Marks Lowest Unemployment Rate Since Pre-Pandemic, State Adds 72,800 Jobs

AUSTIN ⎯ In July 2022, the Texas seasonally adjusted unemployment rate again reached its lowest reading since February 2020 at 4.0 percent, a decrease of 0.1 percentage points from June 2022. Texas added 72,800 total nonfarm jobs in July 2022. For the ninth consecutive month, the state set new employment highs as total nonfarm employment reached 13,513,100. Texas has added a total of 736,700 positions since July 2021.

August 5, 2022 – Texas Workforce Commission Spotlights Internship Opportunities and Career Development through National Intern Day with a Texas Twist Conference

AUSTIN ⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board joined forces to celebrate National Intern Day by hosting the Texas Interns Unite! National Intern Day with a Texas Twist conference.

August 5, 2022 – TWC Provides $2.1 Million for Youth Robotics Programs

AUSTIN – Youth Robotics Programs launch in August following the award of $2.1 million by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), allowing thousands of Texas high school students to participate in various events. The Youth Robotics Initiative encourages interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by expanding participation in robotics programs.

August 3, 2022 - Texas Workforce Commission Awards $296,263 Jobs and Education for Texans Grant to Support Career Training in Weatherford

AUSTIN - The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) awarded a $296,263 Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant to support career training at Weatherford College. This grant funding will help the college purchase and install earth-moving simulator equipment for the First Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers program.

August 3, 2022 - Texas Workforce Commission Awards $296,553 Jobs and Education for Texans Grant to Support Career Training in Middle Rio Grande

AUSTIN ⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) awarded a Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant in Middle Rio Grande to support career training at Southwest Texas Junior College. The $296,553 grant will help the school purchase and install equipment to initially train 40 students for careers in diesel engine repair.

August 2, 2022 – TWC Invites Applications for Healthcare Apprenticeships to Increase Number of Registered Nurses in Texas

AUSTIN –The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC is now accepting applications from Texas employers for statewide apprenticeship projects for registered nurses (RN) and other healthcare fields. 

July 29, 2022 - Texas Workforce Commission Awards $247,549 Jobs and Education for Texans Grant to Support Career Training at South Plains College

AUSTIN - The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) awarded a $247,549 Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant to support career training at South Plains College. This grant funding will help the college purchase and install automotive service and mechanical training equipment for the Automotive Technology program.

July 27, 2022 – Ranger College Awarded More Than $1.5 Million in Job-Training Grants

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) awarded a Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant in Erath County to support career training at Ranger College. TWC also awarded Ranger College and its partnership with TechnipFMC and Saint-Gobain Abrasives, Inc. a $1,201,487 Skills Development Fund grant.

July 26, 2022 – TWC Receives $3.7 Million Award from U.S. Department of Labor for Apprenticeship Expansion

AUSTIN – Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) will add new apprenticeship opportunities with $3.66 million in grant funding awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The grant is the seventh consecutive award from DOL to support the expansion of Registered Apprenticeship Programs in Texas.

July 22, 2022 – June Job Gains Hit a Monthly High for 2022, Unemployment Rate Drops Again

AUSTIN ⎯ Texas added 82,500 total nonfarm jobs in June 2022, the largest over-the-month job gain yet in 2022. For the eighth consecutive month, the state set new employment highs as total nonfarm employment reached 13,431,100. Texas added a total of 778,700 positions since June 2021. The seasonally adjusted Texas unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, a decrease of 0.1 percentage points from May 2022. In terms of COVID recovery, employment has expanded by 464,900 jobs above the February 2020 level.

July 19, 2022 – Texas Workforce Commission Seeks Applications for Advisory Committee for Purchasing from People with Disabilities

AUSTIN ⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is currently accepting applications to serve on the Advisory Committee of the Purchasing from People with Disabilities Program, also known as the Works Wonders Program.

July 15, 2022 – “Apprenticeship Ambassador” Designation Spotlights Innovation and Apprenticeship Expansion

AUSTIN – The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has recognized the Texas Workforce Commission: Julian Alvarez, Commissioner Representing Labor as an Apprenticeship Ambassador.

July 15, 2022 – Texas Workforce Commission Awards $204,058 Jobs and Education for Texans Grant to Support Career Training in South Texas

AUSTIN ⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) awarded South Texas College a $204,058 Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant to help the school purchase and install equipment.

July 14, 2022 – TWC Invites Applications for Critical Skills Registered Apprenticeships

AUSTIN – Applications from Texas employers are now being accepted for statewide apprenticeship projects under the Texas Workforce Commission’s (TWC) Critical Skills Initiative. Apprenticeships provide both classroom instruction and on-the-job paid work experience.

July 13, 2022 - Texas Workforce Commission Awards $208,741 Jobs and Education for Texans Grant to Support Career Training in Southeast Texas

AUSTIN ⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) awarded a Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant in Southeast Texas to support career training at Lamar State College Orange.

July 6, 2022 – Texas Work Search Website Restored After Outage

AUSTIN – The state’s primary work search website, WorkInTexas.com, is back online following a nationwide outage impacting many states’ job search websites.

July 1, 2022 – TWC Grants Fund Camp Code for Middle School Students

AUSTIN – Camp Code is underway for hundreds of middle school students after Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) awarded 11 grants totaling $551,798 for summer camp scholarships in coding and computer science.

June 29, 2022 – Nationwide Outage Impacts Texas Work Search Websites

AUSTIN – Three work search websites in Texas are offline following a nationwide outage impacting many states’ job search websites. Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) contracts with Geographic Solutions, Inc (GSI) to host WorkInTexas.com and two related sites, MyTXCareer.com and TXInternshipChallenge.com.

June 17, 2022 – Texas Unemployment Rate Continued to Fall in May 2022, More Industries Experience Full Recovery

AUSTIN – Texas added 74,200 total nonagricultural jobs in May 2022. For the seventh consecutive month, the state set new employment highs as total nonfarm jobs reached 13,357,100. Texas has added a total of 762,400 positions since May 2021. The seasonally adjusted Texas unemployment rate was 4.2 percent, a decrease of 0.1 percentage points from April 2022.

June 10, 2022 – TWC Takes Additional Action to Address Healthcare Worker Shortages

AUSTIN – On May 31, 2022, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) voted to suspend multiple program rules that only allowed private sector apprenticeships and limited Skills Development Fund grants to private industry, citing public necessity with a critical shortage of healthcare workers.

June 8, 2022 — TWC Awards Grants to Develop Child Care Apprenticeship Programs

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is committed to removing barriers preventing people from gaining employment and has identified workforce shortages in the early childhood industry as an area of focus.

June 6, 2022 – “Texas Interns Unite!” to Build Internship Connections

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) debuted a new internship initiative, Texas Interns Unite! at a press conference at Google in Austin today, June 6, 2022.

June 6, 2022 – TWC Receives DOL Grant to Continue Implementing Planned Unemployment Benefits Services

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) will utilize a U.S. Department of Labor $9.1 million award to enhance access to TWC’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) services.

June 3, 2022 – TWC Directs Use of Child Care Funds to Assist the Uvalde Community

AUSTIN – On May 31, 2022, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) voted to approve additional assistance for those who were impacted by the tragic events at Robb Elementary School last week in Uvalde, Texas.

June 2, 2022 - 2022 Texas Conference for Employers Schedule Released

AUSTIN ⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has released its 2022 Texas Conference for Employers (TCE) schedule, with several locations available throughout the state.

June 1, 2022 – Texas Workforce Commission Provides Additional Support for Creation and Expansion of Child Care Businesses in Texas

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is offering start-up funding to support three goals — the expansion of child care in areas of the state that lack sufficient child care capacity, the additional supply of child care for infants, and child care created in partnership with employers.

May 26, 2022 – Certain Employers Experiencing Unemployment Tax Rate Increase from the Pandemic Have Opportunity for Chargeback Protest Review

AUSTIN – On Tuesday, May 24, 2022, Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) approved notifying certain employers of their opportunity to address unemployment insurance account chargebacks incurred during the early stages of the pandemic.

May 26, 2022 - Texas Workforce Commission Awards $330,125 Jobs and Education for Texans Grant to Support Career Training at Frank Phillips College 

AUSTIN - The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) awarded a $330,125 Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant to support career training at Frank Phillips College.

May 20, 2022 – Texas Unemployment Rate Declines to 4.3 Percent in April, State Experiences Sixth Straight Month of Record Employment

AUSTIN ⎯ Texas added 62,800 total nonagricultural jobs in April 2022. For the sixth consecutive month, the state set new employment highs as total nonfarm jobs reached 13,284,500 in April 2022.

May 18, 2022 - Texas Workforce Commission Awards $398,548 in Jobs and Education for Texans Grants to Support Career Training in the Heart of Texas 

AUSTIN - The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) awarded two Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants in the Heart of Texas area to support career training.

May 17, 2022 - Texas Workforce Commission Awards $331,056 Jobs and Education for Texans Grant to Support Career Training at Rio Hondo ISD

AUSTIN - The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) awarded a Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant to Rio Hondo ISD in Cameron County to support career training.

May 17, 2022 - Career Signing Day Events Announced for 2022

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has announced Career Signing Day events in May and June at various school districts in Texas.

May 17, 2022 - Texas Workforce Commission Awards $278,287 Jobs and Education for Texans Grants to Support Career Training at Point Isabel ISD

AUSTIN - The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) awarded a Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant to Point Isabel ISD in Cameron County to support career training. 

May 16, 2022 – TWC Expands Opportunities for Texans to Earn a High School Diploma or Equivalency

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) encourages Texans to take advantage of programs that provide assistance in obtaining their high school diploma or Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency (TXCHSE), widely known as a GED. 

May 12  - Texas Workforce Commission Awards $331,645 Jobs and Education for Texans Grant to Support Career Training at Victoria College

AUSTIN - The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has awarded a $331,645 Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant to support career training at Victoria College. 

May 6 - Texas Workforce Commission Awards $661,560 in Jobs and Education for Texans Grant Funding to Support Career Training in Cameron County

AUSTIN - The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) awarded two Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants to support career training in the Cameron County area. 

May 5, 2022 - Texas Workforce Commission Awards $605,146 in Jobs and Education for Texans Grant Funding to Support Career Training in East Texas

AUSTIN ⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) awarded two Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants in the East Texas area to support career training. 

May 5, 2022 - Texas Workforce Commission Awards $291,915 Jobs and Education for Texans Grant to Support Career Training at Santa Maria ISD

AUSTIN - The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) awarded a Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant to support career training with Santa Maria ISD. 

April 25, 2022 - Texas Workforce Commission Awards $674,139 in Jobs and Education for Texans Grant Funding to Support Career Training in the Gulf Coast

AUSTIN ⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has awarded two Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants in the Gulf Coast area to support career training. 

April 21, 2022 – Applications for 2022 Jobs and Education for Texans Grant Funding Now Open for Texas ISDs, Open-Enrollment Charter Schools and the Windham School District

AUSTIN ⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has published a Request for Applications (RFA) for the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant program for Texas Independent School Districts (ISDs), open-enrollment charter schools, and the Windham School District. 

April 15, 2022 – Texas Unemployment Rate Declines to 4.4 Percent, Marking Another Month of Record Employment

AUSTIN ⎯ In March, the seasonally adjusted Texas unemployment rate was 4.4 percent, a decrease of 0.3 percentage points from February 2022, and 2.0 percentage points below the level set one year ago. 

April 13, 2022 – Texas Workforce Commission Awards $637,336 in Jobs and Education for Texans Grant Funding to Support Career Training in Laredo

AUSTIN ⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has awarded two Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants in Laredo, Texas, to support career training. 

April 8, 2022 – Texas Workforce Commission Seeks Applications for Advisory Committee for Purchasing from People with Disabilities

AUSTIN ⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is currently accepting applications to serve on the Advisory Committee of the Purchasing from People with Disabilities Program, also known as the Works Wonders Program. 

March 28, 2022 – TWC Debuts New Accessibility Technology for Customers, Providing On-Demand Access to Visual Information

AUSTIN ⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has announced the availability of on-demand visual interpreting services at TWC locations, including Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) offices and the Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center, as well as VR co-located Workforce Solutions offices throughout the state. 

March 25, 2022 – TWC Invests Nearly $315 Million to Support Low-Income Family Child Care and Strengthen Economy

AUSTIN ⎯ This week, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) approved $314.75 million to be made available for child care funding to support low-income Texas families. 

March 25, 2022 – Texas Adds 77,800 Jobs in February, Unemployment Rate Declines to 4.7 Percent

AUSTIN - In February, Texas added 77,800 total nonagricultural jobs, making gains in 21 of the last 22 months.

March 18, 2022 – Applications for 2022 Jobs and Education for Texans Grant Funding Now Open for Public Junior, State and Technical Colleges

AUSTIN ⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has published a Request for Applications (RFA) for the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant program for public junior, state, and technical colleges. 

March 16, 2022 – Farmersville ISD Receives $332,236 Jobs and Education for Texans Grant

AUSTIN ⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has awarded Farmersville ISD a $332,236 Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant. 

March 16, 2022 – Texas State Senate Recognizes TWC Labor Commissioner for Exemplary Public Service

AUSTIN ⎯ Today, the Texas Senate recognized Julian Alvarez III, Texas Workforce Commissioner Representing Labor, for his commitment to outstanding public service. 

March 11, 2022 – Texas Unemployment Rate at 4.8 Percent, State Adds 29,000 Jobs in January

AUSTIN ⎯ In January, Texas added 29,000 total nonagricultural jobs, making gains in 20 of the last 21 months. 

March 9, 2022 – TWC Kicks Off Summer Earn and Learn Program, Connecting Students with Disabilities to Meaningful Employment

AUSTIN ⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) announces the kickoff of this year’s Summer Earn and Learn (SEAL) program for students with disabilities aged 14-22. 

March 3, 2022 – TWC Partners with Multiple State Agencies to Launch Website to Streamline Early Childhood Services for Texas Parents

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), working in partnership with several state agencies that also provide services to young children, is launching the Early Childhood Texas website, a streamlined resource for Texas parents to access information about available early childhood services. 

March 2, 2022 – Workforce Solutions Alamo and Lone Star National Bank Receive $510,967 Job Training Grant

AUSTIN ⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has awarded Workforce Solutions Alamo and their partner Lone Star National Bank a $510,967 Skills Development Fund grant. 

March 2, 2022 – TWC Recognizes Announcement of Texas Science and Engineering Fair 2022 Advisory Board Members

AUSTIN – The Texas Science and Engineering Fair (TXSEF) hosted by Texas A&M Engineering, in partnership with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and ExxonMobil, has selected its 2022 Advisory Board members. 

February 17, 2022 – TWC Dedicates $15 Million to Healthcare Apprenticeship Programs to Address Industry Labor Shortages

AUSTIN ⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) this week announced $15 million in funding will be allocated to the development of a statewide registered apprenticeship initiative for the healthcare industry to increase the number of career pathway opportunities for registered nurses (RN) and healthcare professionals in the state. 

February 17, 2022 – TWC Expands Initiative to End the Middle Skills Gap, Allocates $4 Million to State Level Apprenticeship Programs

AUSTIN ⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) this week announced $4 million in funding will be dedicated to supporting apprenticeships in middle skills careers, defined as occupations that require some education beyond high school but less than a four-year degree. 

February 14, 2022 – Texas Science and Engineering Fair Seeks Judges for 2022 Competition

AUSTIN – More than 1,000 Texas middle and high school students will present their projects March 4-9, 2022, at the first round of the 2022 Texas Science and Engineering Fair (TXSEF) hosted by Texas A&M Engineering. 

February 11, 2022 – TWC Celebrates Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month

AUSTIN – This month, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) celebrates education partners across the state participating in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs through CTE Month, February 2022. 

February 2, 2022 – TWC Increases 2022 Child Care Relief Funding by $1 Billion to Strengthen Workforce

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) this week approved an additional $1 billion in direct support for the Texas child care industry, increasing available funds for the 2022 Child Care Relief Fund (CCRF) to a total of $3.4 billion. 

January 28, 2022 – Texas Workforce Commission Seeks Applications for Advisory Committee for Purchasing from People with Disabilities

AUSTIN ⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is currently accepting applications to serve on the Advisory Committee of the Purchasing from People with Disabilities Program, also known as the Works Wonders Program. 

January 28, 2022 – South Texas ISD Receives $332,500 Jobs and Education for Texans Grant

AUSTIN ⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has awarded South Texas ISD a $332,500 Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant. The grant will help the district purchase and install 20 new industry-specific welding stations to initially serve 40 South Texas ISD students, providing training in the occupations of welder, cutter, solder and brazer.

January 21, 2022 – Texas Unemployment Rate Falls to 5.0 Percent in December

AUSTIN - In December, the seasonally adjusted Texas unemployment rate was 5.0 percent, a decrease of 0.2 percentage points from November 2021.

January 20, 2022 – Ingram ISD Receives $188,147 Jobs and Education for Texans Grant

AUSTIN ⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has awarded Ingram ISD a $188,147 Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant.