Workforce Solutions East Texas Precautions and Service Changes in Response to COVID-19
Workforce Solutions East Texas • March 18, 2020
Event Cancellations, Center Closures to the Public, and Service Availability to Individuals with Employment Impacts
As emergency declarations have been made at the National, State, and with multiple counties in our area due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Workforce Solutions East Texas (WSET) team has mobilized to ensure the health and safety of customers and staff, while ensuring that our business services, early childhood development programs and workforce services, will continue throughout our East Texas region.
Dr. Robert Haberle, Chairman of the Workforce Solutions East Texas Board, said, “Our hearts are with our communities. Our critical businesses depend upon a skilled and healthy workforce to bring their products to market and an equally healthy customer base to buy those products. WSET will continue to serve our employers by helping workers and those wanting to work in every way possible. We will safeguard the Centers, limit exposure for participants and staff, and still find ways to keep our friends and neighbors in jobs that allow them to bring home a paycheck. We’re here to serve, in the most effective ways possible.”
The WSET team is committed to meeting the needs of job seekers and employers in our fourteen-county region, and we want to ensure that the health and safety of our customers and staff are taken into consideration in these difficult times. To combat the spread of COVID-19, effective at 8:00 AM, Thursday, March 19th, our workforce centers will close to the public. Although we are not allowing visitors, we will continue to serve WSET customers. At this time, we anticipate the centers will remain closed through May 1st. We invite all job seekers, to continue job search with www.WorkInTexas.com, and to contact our career advisers at 1-844-ETWORKS (844-389-6757)
for individual assistance. Staff will be making online service applications, required program orientations, and virtual events available on our website, in the near future.
If you are a worker whose employment has been disrupted by economic changes caused by COVID-19 concerns, we can assist you in finding new work or training for a higher-skilled role in related industries. WSET provides an array of services and programs that are designed with career development at every stage of your workforce journey, including up-skilling opportunities with local training providers. We can also provide information on unemployment benefits from the Texas Workforce Commission. Please contact TWC’s Unemployment Benefits hotline at 800-939-6631
if your employment has been impacted by COVID-19.
For our business community, WSET can assist with customized proactive outplacement services or layoff aversion strategies at no cost. Rapid Response services provide early business-focused intervention assistance designed to transition affected workers to their next employment. Our services are tailored to each company, based on the needs of the affected employees. Please call our Business Services team at 1-844-ETWORKS (844-389-6757), or email employerservices@easttexasworkforce.org, for more information on Rapid Response services for employers.
For families taking part in our child care and early childhood learning programs throughout the East Texas area, we are working with our child care services providers to ensure a continuum of care for currently enrolled children, as events arise that may lead to a temporary change in a parent’s work, education, or training status. If you have questions, please contact our WSET Child Care Services team for assistance at easttexas.ccs.customers@gmail.com
or 1-800-676-8283.
The U.S. Department of Labor has published the "Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19" to help reduce the impact of Coronavirus. The guide also provides information to help employers and workers regarding issues they may face, including effects on wages and hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Access that guide at: https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osha/osha20200309
We have to prepare ourselves for the days ahead and we have taken precautions to maintain the safety and security of our employees and customers as best we can,” said WSET Centers Director, Mary Ann Rojas. “We are so fortunate to have the infrastructure in place to continue to serve our constituents which are located throughout a 14-county region. We will mobilize our call center to assist those needing direct personal assistance. We will have virtual workshops and our Career Edge platform to walk you through any process whether it is helping you with a resume, applying for training assistance or referring to the appropriate services. We are ramping up to have specialists assigned to assist those being laid off and we will continue to work with our employers to find better ways to connect with the job seeker. Meanwhile we will continue to assess the situation daily.”
WSET will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and share important updates and resources on our website at www.easttexasworkforce.org/COVID-19, and through our social media networks. For more information, contact WSET Centers Director, Mary Ann Rojas at (903) 561.8131.
At Workforce Solutions East Texas, developing a skilled and prepared talent pipeline is at the heart of everything we do. Our staff are deeply committed to connecting with students and communities across the region, helping to bridge the gap between education and employment through hands-on, interactive learning experiences. Recently, our team had the privilege of participating in two impactful events designed to equip East Texas students with essential workforce skills. Mock Interview Event – Westwood ISD In partnership with Westwood Independent School District, Workforce Solutions East Texas staff participated in a Mock Interview event that provided high school students with valuable, real-world experience. Our team, along with various local employers, assisted in conducting one-on-one interviews with students, offering feedback on their resumes, professional demeanor, and interview responses. The event served as a crucial stepping stone for students preparing to enter the job market, boosting their confidence and sharpening their skills. Students also had the opportunity to visit employer booths and ask questions about the industries and careers available at each company. This initiative is just one example of how we work closely with local schools to ensure students are ready for success after graduation. By simulating the interview process in a supportive environment, students gained critical insight into employer expectations and how to best present themselves for future opportunities. Adulting 101 – Carthage High School Another standout event took place at Carthage High School, where Workforce Solutions East Texas staff joined forces with educators for the school’s "Adulting 101" day. Designed to introduce students to essential life skills, the event featured sessions on job readiness, financial literacy, and career planning. Our team led workshops that helped students explore various career paths, understand the local labor market, and learn how to create effective resumes. We also provided guidance on workplace professionalism, soft skills, and setting long-term career goals—key components in preparing students for the transition from school to the workforce. Continuing the Mission These events underscore our ongoing mission to support youth education, career exploration, and workforce preparedness throughout East Texas. By engaging directly with students in school settings, Workforce Solutions East Texas is proud to play a role in developing a resilient, skilled, and adaptable future workforce. We extend our thanks to Westwood ISD and Carthage High School for their collaboration and dedication to student success. Together, we are building strong foundations that will empower the next generation of East Texas talent.
The Texas labor market reached record highs in both total jobs and the size of the civilian labor force in April. Texas added 37,700 positions over the month to reach a total of 14,320,100 nonfarm jobs. The state added 215,500 jobs over the year, bringing the annual nonfarm growth rate to 1.5 percent, which outpaced the national growth rate by 0.3 percentage points. Texas’ civilian labor force achieved another new record high of 15,814,400 after adding 35,900 people over the month and marking 58 of 60 months of growth. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 292,400 people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Texas registered at 4.1 percent. “The positive trends in the Texas labor market show the Lone Star State’s efforts to invest in the success of the Texas economy,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “Focusing on things like skills development, innovation, and strategic partnerships, TWC continues our efforts to offer funding and support for both employers and job seekers.” The Professional and Business Services industry had the largest over-the-month increase in April after adding 10,900 jobs. Private Education and Health Services added 7,400 jobs over the month while Trade, Transportation, and Utilities added 6,300. In addition, the Mining and Logging industry grew by 1.4 percent over the year in Texas and outperformed the industry’s growth rate nationally by 2.2 percentage points. “Texas’ strong focus on innovation and economic growth is driving a growing demand for skilled workers across many industries,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. “At TWC, we’re committed to meeting that need through programs like ApprenticeshipTexas and Upskill Texas, which help Texans build the skills they need to thrive in today’s workforce and in the careers of the future.” The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) had the lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 2.6 percent in April, followed by the Amarillo and San Angelo MSAs at 2.7 percent. “The Texas labor market continues its strong upward trajectory, adding more than 37,000 jobs in April and building on months of growth,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza. “TWC will continue to provide employers with the resources and support needed to grow their businesses and create more opportunities for Texans.” 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 May is scheduled to be released on Friday, June 20, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. (CT).
Texas' economy continued its strong performance in March, with the labor market achieving record highs in both total jobs and the size of the civilian labor force. Texas added 26,500 positions over the month to reach a total of 14,282,600 nonfarm jobs. The state added 192,100 jobs over the year, bringing the annual nonfarm growth rate to 1.4 percent which outpaced the national growth rate by 0.2 percentage points. Texas’ civilian labor force achieved another new record high of 15,778,500 after adding 8,400 people over the month, marking 57 of 59 months of growth. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 301,400 people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Texas registered at 4.1 percent. “Texas continues to lead the nation and break records for economic growth,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “With 26,500 positions added in March, TWC continues to connect job seekers and employers to keep Texas working.” The Private Education and Health Services industry had the largest over-the-month increase in March after adding 9,500 jobs. Construction added 8,500 jobs over the month, and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities added 6,100. In addition, the Construction industry grew by 3.4 percent over the year in Texas and outperformed the industry’s growth rate nationally by 1.6 percentage points. “The robust Texas economy continues to create opportunities for our workforce, as evidenced by over 544,000 job postings in March, despite record employment,” noted TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. “TWC is committed to ensuring Texans can capitalize on this economic momentum by providing services like career counseling, job search assistance, and skills training, helping them develop a clear path to career success.” The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) had the lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 2.9 percent in March, followed by the Amarillo MSA at 3.1 percent and the San Angelo MSA at 3.1 percent. “Texas is outpacing the nation in various industries, reinforcing the state’s reputation across the world as the best for doing business,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza. “TWC is committed to investing in innovative programs and partnerships that ensure Texas employers have the workforce to grow in today’s evolving 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 April is scheduled to be released on Friday, May 16, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. (CT).
