Fueled by Determination: Owen Shreve’s Road to Success with TSTC and Workforce Solutions

September 23, 2025

When Owen Shreve moved from Bremerton, Washington, to Elysian Fields, Texas, he was ready for a new beginning. He had always loved working with his hands, but this time he wanted to turn that passion into a real career. That’s when he discovered Texas State Technical College’s (TSTC) Diesel Equipment Technology program in Marshall — and took the leap.


“I’ve always enjoyed fixing things,” Owen said. “When I found out TSTC had an off-highway program, I thought, ‘It’s time to do something with my life.’”


TSTC gave Owen the strong foundation he needed, but he knew that hands-on experience would take him further. That search led him to Workforce Solutions East Texas (WSET) and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult program. With their support, he began a work experience internship with Thee Road Service, a local truck repair company.


Owen’s determination quickly shined. In June 2025, he advanced into on-the-job training with the same company, gaining even more real-world skills. Just a month later, on July 27, 2025, his hard work was recognized with a pay raise, going from $15 to $20 per hour — a powerful sign that his dedication, hard work, and commitment were paving the way to success.


“It’s really beneficial because I’m getting practical knowledge here (at TSTC), which ties directly into the field knowledge I get out there,” Owen said. “There hasn’t been a day I’ve walked away without learning something.”


Leticia Hollins, Owen’s work-based learning coordinator at WSET, has seen his growth firsthand.


“As he has progressed in his academic journey, his confidence and competence in handling complex tasks have noticeably increased,” Hollins said. “Professionally, Owen has taken on more responsibilities and consistently met challenges with determination and maturity.”


Owen plans to graduate in May 2026 with his Associate of Applied Science degree in Diesel Equipment Technology. For him, the journey has been more than education — it has been transformation. “Being a student is absolutely rewarding because without this program I wouldn’t be where I’m at right now,” Owen said. “It’s opened so many doors for me already.”


With the support of TSTC, Workforce Solutions East Texas, and the WIOA program, Owen has turned a lifelong passion into a promising career. What began as a leap of faith in moving to Texas has become a story of perseverance, opportunity, and growth. His journey proves that when determination meets the right support system, doors open, dreams take shape, and futures are built. For Owen, the road ahead is wide open — and he’s driving full speed toward success.

August 4th Regionwide Job Fair Employers List

July 28, 2026
Tuesday, August 4 | Athens, Longview, Marshall, Palestine, and Tyler

Texas Job Market Grows by More Than 177,000 Positions Over the Year

July 20, 2026
Texas added 43,400 nonfarm jobs in June to reach a total of 14,469,600 positions. Over the year, the state added 177,900 jobs for an annual growth rate of 1.2 percent, outpacing the national growth rate by 0.9 percentage points. Texas’ civilian labor force registered at 15,904,900 after adding 3,400 people over the month. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 29,700 people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Texas registered at 4.4 percent. “Texas’ continued job growth is a testament to the strength of our employers and robust workforce development system,” said TWC Chairman Joe Esparza. “The addition of more than 177,000 jobs over the year reinforces Texas’ reputation among employers as the best place to start and grow a business.” The Professional and Business Services industry had the largest private sector over-the-month increase in June after adding 25,500 jobs. Leisure and Hospitality added 10,300 jobs over the month while Trade, Transportation, and Utilities added 6,400. “The growth of the Texas labor market highlights the incredible talent and dedication of our state’s workforce,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. “The Texas Workforce Commission is committed to ensuring every Texan has the support they need to thrive, whether through training opportunities to gain new skills or specialized programs that help our foster youth transition into successful careers.” The Midland metropolitan statistical area (MSA) had the lowest unemployment rate with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 3.6 percent in June. It was followed by the San Angelo MSA at 3.9 percent and the Abilene MSA at 4.0 percent. “With an annual growth rate of 1.2 percent, Texas continues to outpace the national average and demonstrate economic resilience,” said TWC Commissioner Representing the Public Brent Connett. “Both job seekers and employers can seek customized career services and recruitment assistance by visiting our TWC website or their local Workforce Solutions office.” 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 July is scheduled to be released on Friday, August 21, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. (CT).

Building Connections, Strengthening Child Care

July 20, 2026
Workforce Solutions East Texas Child Care Services is proud to partner with the Panola County Chamber of Commerce to support child care leaders across the region. Through this partnership, the Chamber provides a welcoming meeting space for Directors Connect training designed to help early learning program owners and directors connect, learn, and grow together. The partnership was made possible through the support of Keri Perot-Vance, Executive Director of the Panola County Chamber of Commerce, whose commitment to community collaboration helped create a space where child care leaders can come together to share ideas, discuss challenges, and strengthen their leadership skills. The partnership began in 2025 in response to daycare owners expressing a need for accessible training opportunities. Recognizing this need, Panola County Chamber of Commerce graciously offered to host the Directors Connect training in its beautiful historic building. This collaboration provides child care professionals with the opportunity to earn professional development hours required to remain in compliance with Child Care Regulation and Texas Rising Star. Tonia Crawford and Aerial Jones, Business Industry Specialists for Child Care Services and facilitators of Directors Connect, say the program has evolved into so much more than a training opportunity. It has become a space for meaningful conversations, professional connections, and shared solutions. Through these gatherings, directors are strengthening their businesses, growing as leaders, and ultimately enhancing the quality of care provided to children and families throughout East Texas. Workforce Solutions East Texas Child Care Services is grateful for the Panola County Chamber of Commerce's ongoing support and looks forward to continuing this impactful partnership for years to come. Together, we are investing in stronger leaders, stronger child care programs, and stronger communities.
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