Hiring Red, White & You! Statewide Veterans Hiring Fair to Take Place November 4

Workforce Solutions East Texas • November 2, 2021

10th Annual Statewide Veterans Hiring Event to be Held in Longview with 55 Employers

For the 10th year, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), in partnership with 28 local workforce development boards and the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC), will host veteran-focused hiring fairs throughout the state on Thursday, November 4. TWC’s 10th annual Hiring Red, White & You! is a joint initiative supported by the Office of the Governor, the Texas Medical Center (TMC), and the Texas Veterans Commission to connect veterans and their spouses with employers seeking exceptional skills. Workforce Solutions East Texas will host the local hiring event in Longview at the Holiday Inn Infinity Center at 300 Tuttle Circle from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM. The event is veteran-focused but open for the public to attend. 


“General George S. Patton is quoted as saying, ‘Give me an army of West Point graduates, and I’ll win a battle. Give me a handful of Texas Aggies, and I’ll win a war.’ A true quote or not, Patton was describing the Texas veteran. Texas vets have turned the tide, time and again, in peacetime and war. Today’s employers need Texas’ vets to put our economy back in gear. Join us as we sync high-intensity workers with high-quality employers. Texas needs us,” said Lt. Col. Doug Shryock, USAF (Ret), Workforce Solutions East Texas Executive Director.


The multi-city event is free to attend and designed to assist veterans, service members, and their spouses as they seek their next career opportunity. Employers participate at no cost and are encouraged to contact their local Workforce Solutions Office for more information. 


“On behalf of the people of Texas, I want to thank all of our military veterans who have served this great nation and defended freedom around the world,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “As we unleash the full might of the Texas economy, it’s important to know that Texas has your back. Greater prosperity for all begins with employment that fully utilizes your skills, dedication, and drive. That is why I encourage employers in Texas to attend a Hiring Red, White, and You! event on Nov. 4.”


Over the past nine years, Hiring Red, White & You! has connected more than 108,288 job seekers, including 39,310 veterans, with 18,268 employers and the event has included over 2,800 same-day hires.


“Veterans are good candidates for many good jobs. The skills, experience, and training veterans receive in the military have a positive influence on the Texas Workforce,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “Texas employers participating in TWC’s Hiring, Red, White & You! events recognize this, too.” 


The Texas Veterans Commission is preparing veterans for these hiring fairs by assisting them with applications and résumés, interviewing techniques, and one-on-one counseling services.


“Texas veterans bring a lot to the table: skills, maturity, an unparalleled work ethic, and a tradition of selfless service to others,” said Texas Veterans Commission Chairwoman Laura Koerner. “Veteran employment events like Hiring Red, White & You! give them the opportunity to showcase their skills and earn the opportunity for a rewarding career.”


The national unemployment rate in 2020 for all veterans was 6.5 percent. In contrast, for those veterans who served in the military since September 2001, the unemployment rate was higher at 7.3 percent. There are over 1.5 million total veterans throughout Texas, which has the highest state population of veterans in the country.


“Our goal is to help veterans transition to the civilian world through meaningful careers that can open up doors for them and their families,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. “Hiring Red, White & You! is an invaluable resource to assist veterans with their career needs. We applaud those who are attending – the veterans for their service and the employers who hire our heroes.”


Employers who hire veterans may be eligible for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, which allows employers to receive up to $9,600 on federal business income or payroll tax benefits when they hire from certain qualified groups of veterans.


“The Hiring Red, White, & You! event on November 4th is an incredible opportunity for Texas employers to connect with our veterans, who are natural leaders that know how to get the job done,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Aaron Demerson. “Texas veterans have served our nation in their military careers and now it’s our turn to return the favor. Thank you to all Texas employers who have placed hiring veterans a top priority in their workplace.”


Information on how employers and job seekers can participate in Hiring Red, White & You! hiring fairs can be found at www.easttexasworkforce.org/hrwy. For information on all veteran workforce services available in Texas, visit www.texasworkforce.org/veterans.

Hiring Red, White & You

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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