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    Rural, Set, Go! Employers and Community Members are Invited to our Rural Economic Development Forums

    Workforce Solutions East Texas • January 16, 2020

    Forums Scheduled for Gilmer, Jacksonville, and Canton

    The Workforce Solutions East Texas Board in partnership with the East Texas Council of Governments, local elected officials, and new vendor - Career Team, LLC, will launch its first of a series of Rural Economic Development Forums next week. The Forums, titled Rural, Set, Go! have the objective to seek input from local employers, business, and community members on rural economic and workforce development issues. 

    “We recognize the value of rural economic development and the role employers play in developing and sustaining the local economy,” said WSET Board Chairman, Robert Haberle. “We ask the local employers, businesses, and community members to please join us to share your expertise and knowledge in developing a skilled workforce for the region.”

    Rural, Set, Go! Rural Economic Development Forums are open to the public and will be held at the following dates and locations: 
    • January 21st in Gilmer, Texas, at the Open Range Restaurant, from 5 PM – 7 PM
    • January 23rd in Jacksonville, Texas, at the Jacksonville College Student Activity Center, from 5 PM – 7 PM 
    • January 28th in Canton, Texas, at the Silver Spur Resort, from 5 PM – 7 PM

    The program for the town hall style events will include local employers, chamber of commerce and economic development representatives coming together to discuss rural economic and workforce development issues. WSET staff will share local data on the labor market in each area, and conduct a panel discussion, facilitated by WSET Executive Director, Doug Shryock. Forum attendees will have the opportunity to engage in discussion with subject matter experts providing information on workforce training, child care services, and other useful resources. 

    “The Workforce Solutions East Texas Board has identified our rural communities as a vital resource for economic growth for the region,” said WSET Executive Director, Doug Shryock. “The Board, together with Career Team, will be promoting these events across the region over the next several months. It is important for us to get close to the local needs of the employer and these town hall meetings will help us achieve this goal.”

    “We are proud to be a part of this very important work which will help us to design a service delivery system that will benefit the region and bolster our job training programs,” stated Mary Ann Rojas, Regional Executive Director for Career Team. “We are equally pleased with the help of our partners: Baker Ripley, who manage subsidized child care services, the Texas Workforce Commission, our rural local employers and community leaders.”

    Business, education and community partners are encouraged to attend, and seating is limited. For information, or to reserve a seat, contact Kim Stacy at 903-561-8131 or Terrance Mathis at 903-758-1783.

    By Lindsay Vanderbilt March 17, 2025
    The Texas labor market achieved new record highs for both jobs and the civilian labor force in January. The state added 27,900 positions over the month, reaching a total of 14,236,400 nonfarm jobs. Texas added 187,700 jobs from January 2024 to January 2025, bringing the annual nonfarm growth rate to 1.3 percent. January marks 55 of 57 months of growth for Texas’ civilian labor force, which achieved another new record high of 15,750,800 after adding 23,100 people over the month. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 351,200 people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Texas registered at 4.1 percent. “With more than 187,000 jobs added over the year, Texas’ continued growth shows the strength of the Texas economy,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “Our commitment to a skilled workforce is essential to the state’s continued economic success.” The Private Education and Health Services industry had the largest over-the-month increase in January after adding 9,700 jobs. In addition, Professional and Business Services added 3,700 jobs over the month and Mining and Logging added 2,300. “New opportunities are emerging every day in Texas, and we must be prepared to seize them as a pathway to long-term growth,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor, Alberto Treviño III. “TWC recognizes that the needs of job seekers are diverse, and we offer a variety of programs to help Texans achieve their career goals.” The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) had the lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 3.0 percent in January, followed by the Amarillo MSA at 3.1 percent and the San Angelo MSA at 3.3 percent. “Texas continues to attract new and expanding businesses across a wide range of industries,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza. “We encourage employers to explore TWC programs like the Skills Development Fund, so they can develop their workforce to compete in a global market.” Employment estimates released by TWC are produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. * All estimates are subject to revision. To access this and more employment data, visit TexasLMI.com . The Texas Labor Market Information Data for February is scheduled to be released on Friday, March 28, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. (CT).
    By Workforce Solutions East Texas February 24, 2025
    Workforce Solutions East Texas is seeking the public's input on its 5-year development plan to support regional economic growth and self-sufficiency by providing a first-class workforce for businesses and supporting the growth of local industries. The development plan outlines goals for preparing an educated and skilled workforce and education services for youth and impaired individuals seeking employment. The Board will accept public comments for a 21-day period beginning February 24, 2025. Mission The mission of the Workforce Solutions East Texas Board is to improve the quality of life through economic development by providing a first-class workforce for present and future businesses. Vision Workforce Solutions East Texas has active economic development with a premier workforce attracting and supporting growth of businesses and industry. For public comments, please click here to contact Gary Allen.
    A woman is standing next to a woman sitting at a desk in a classroom.
    By Workforce Solutions East Texas February 11, 2025
    Workforce Solutions East Texas is bringing back its highly anticipated Windows of Opportunity Job Fair on February 13, 2025. This event will take place simultaneously across all five Workforce Solutions East Texas offices, providing job seekers with direct access to hiring agents from a wide range of industries. The job fair serves as a crucial bridge between local talent and top employers, facilitating face-to-face interactions that allow candidates to explore career opportunities, network with industry professionals, and even secure interviews on the spot. Whether you're looking for a new job, considering a career change, or just starting your job search, the event offers a great opportunity to tap into the vibrant job market of East Texas. The Windows of Opportunity Job Fair will feature a diverse range of employers eager to connect with job seekers in industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, retail, logistics, and more. Below is a list of participating employers by location: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Longview Workforce Center 1905 W. Loop 281, Suite 40 , Longview, TX 75604  Express Spherion Staffing Elwood Staffing West Fraser Crossroads Family Care Trinity Rail Thomas Oilfield Services Texas Department of Public Safety Oceans Behavioral Hospital of Longview Community Healthcore 1st Choice Personnel TDCJ Always Best Care Senior Services Cato City of Longview Athens Workforce Center 205 N. Murchison, Suite 101, Athens, TX 75751 Get A Handyman Volt Dr. Power Washer VRS New Health Concept Inc. Henderson Co. Help Center Park Highlands Nursing and Rehabilitation Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office TDCJ Met-Motivation, Education and Training Consolidate Tank U.S. Army Providence Equipment Tyler Workforce Center 4100 Troup Hwy, Tyler, TX 75703 Baker Ripley Christus Health TDCJ TVC Tyler Pipe Jarvis Christian University Tyler ISD Concentrix New Health Concept Inc. Hood Packaging Elwood Staffing Spherion Staffing Hall Buick and GMC Tarrant Co. Sheriff’s Office At Home Healthcare Express Employment Professionals Community Healthcore Austin Bank Cricket Wireless PI Tape Texas Brookshire’s Grocery Baylor PD Amer Technology 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Palestine Workforce Center 500 E. Murchison St., Palestine, TX 75801 AOF Industries TDCJ Intouch Financial Group Verdant Technologies Pentecom U.S. Army Marshall Workforce Center 4300 E. End Blvd. S., Marshall, TX 75671 Blackburn Syrup TDCJ Boys and Girls Clubs Christus (Multiple Positions) DATCS LLC Mark your calendars for February 13, 2025, and take advantage of this valuable opportunity to advance your career at the Windows of Opportunity Job Fair.
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