Seven Workforce Boards Awarded Funding for Career and Education Outreach Specialist Pilot Program
Date: August 26, 2019
Media Contact: Cisco Gamez
Phone: 512-463-8556
AUSTIN ⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has recently awarded $5,165,488 in funding to seven local workforce boards for a new Workforce Career and Education Outreach Specialist Pilot Program. The program will provide career services to students at public middle and high schools, grades six through twelve, to direct students towards High Growth High Demand Occupations. Students will receive in-depth education and direction on career choices as well as access to up-to-date labor market and career data.
“With this pilot program, the Texas Workforce Commission is actively working to ensure the next generation of Texans are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful,” said TWC Chairman and Commissioner Representing the Public Bryan Daniel. “This program is essential to providing Texas students with the necessary information required to make informed career choices.”
This program will support the achievement of Texas’ goals outlined in the November 2016 Tri-Agency Report. The funding establishes at least two full-time Workforce Specialists to travel within designated independent school districts to deliver career guidance and workforce information to students, including underrepresented populations such as youth in foster care. The program will use TWC resources to organize training workshops, expose students to a variety of career pathways and coordinate with local and state services to provide pre-apprenticeship opportunities.
“Most of our future job growth will be in middle skill occupations, yet many students and parents are largely unaware of these jobs and the education required to attain them. This pilot program provides early guidance to future generations of our workforce,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. “Through this funding, the TWC ensures that every student has a viable career path after graduation.”
“By supporting our local workforce boards, this program ensures Texas remains a competitive place for businesses,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Aaron Demerson. “Through this funding, we are investing early in our future talent-pipeline and helping build a workforce that will continue to strengthen our Texas employers.”
Program participants will provide support to over 60 different independent school districts engaging approximately 165,000 students through 2,900 workshops in its inaugural year.
The Workforce Career and Education Outreach Specialist Pilot Program recipients are:
Workforce Solutions Capital Area - $796,268
Workforce Solutions of Central Texas - $790,010
Workforce Solutions Borderplex, Inc. - $587,732
Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas - $800,000
Lower Rio Grande Valley Workforce Development Board - $678,708
North East Texas Workforce Development Board - $718,498
Gulf Coast Workforce Board - $794,272
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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.
