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.
Texas recorded a total of 14,461,300 nonfarm jobs after shedding 11,100 positions in September. Over the year, the state added 154,300 jobs for an annual growth rate of 1.1 percent, outpacing the national rate by 0.8 percentage points. Texas’ civilian labor force registered at 15,948,400 after adding 15,800 people over the month. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 3,600 people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Texas registered at 4.4 percent. “The addition of more than 154,000 jobs over the year reflects balanced growth across Texas industries,” said TWC Chairman Joe Esparza. “Texas continues to outpace the nation because of innovative programs like Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants, which are equipping students with skills that help businesses compete today and plan for tomorrow.” The Manufacturing industry had the largest private sector over-the-month increase in September after adding 4,700 jobs. Professional and Business Services added 1,600 jobs over the month while Information added 1,400. “The 15.9 million Texans in our labor force drive our economy, and TWC is dedicated to fueling their success,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. “Through statewide initiatives like our annual Hiring Red, White & You! career fairs and the Texas HireAbility campaign, we are actively connecting Texans of all abilities with the critical training and resources they need to build prosperous, lifelong careers.” The Midland metropolitan statistical area (MSA) had the lowest unemployment rate with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 3.2 percent in September. It was followed by the Abilene, Amarillo, College Station-Bryan, and San Angelo MSAs, which registered at 3.5 percent. “TWC is focused on ensuring that every Texan can find a rewarding career that allows them to contribute their unique skills and experiences to our economy,” said TWC Commissioner Representing the Public Brent Connett. “Initiatives like this month’s Texas HireAbility campaign help strengthen our communities and allow Texas businesses to tap into a dedicated and driven talent pool.” 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 September is scheduled to be released on Friday, November 20, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. (CT).
This November, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is hosting the 15th Annual Hiring Red, White & You! event series. The series includes nearly 30 hiring events across the state from Nov. 2-20 to connect veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses to Texas employers. "Texas is the best place for veterans and military families,” said Governor Greg Abbott. "More than 1.4 million veterans call our great state home. Their skills and leadership make our economy stronger. These hiring events put their talents to work." "Texas is proud to be home to more than 1.4 million veterans, whose unmatched leadership, dedication, and technical skills make them invaluable assets to our state's economy,” said TWC Chairman Joe Esparza. “The Hiring Red, White & You! initiative is our way of thanking these brave men and women by directly connecting them with world-class career opportunities in Texas.” TWC partners on the events with Texas Workforce Solutions, Texas Veterans Commission (TVC), and the Texas Medical Center. “As a Navy veteran, I know firsthand the value veterans bring to the workplace,” said Texas Veterans Commission Chairwoman Laura Koerner. “Hiring Red, White & You! creates important opportunities for veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses across Texas. We’re grateful to the Governor, our friends at TWC, employers and all of our partners who work alongside us to serve those who served.” Since 2012, these free hiring events have connected more than 28,000 employers with 167,000 job seekers, including 56,157 active-duty military, transitioning service members, veterans, and their spouses. Hiring Red, White & You! events have also resulted in more than 4,100 same-day hires. “Texas veterans and military spouses possess a world-class work ethic and diverse talents that are ready to be put to work today,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. “Through the Hiring Red, White & You! event series, we are making sure our military community has the direct connections they need to find rewarding, high-demand careers that honor their service.” Employers can participate in Hiring Red, White & You! at no cost and are encouraged to visit TWC’s Hiring Red, White & You page for more information. Through the WeHireVets initiative, TWC also recognizes businesses in which veterans make up at least 10% of the workforce. “Hiring a veteran is more than a way to honor their service—it's also a smart business decision that brings valuable skills and experience to the workplace,” said TWC Commissioner Representing the Public Brent Connett. “Through programs like Hiring Red, White & You! and WeHireVets recognition, we are encouraging employers to tap into this highly skilled talent pool.” The local event in Tyler will take place on Nov. 10th at 1421 S. Beckham, Tyler, TX 75701, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. For information on all veteran workforce services available in Texas, visit twc.texas.gov/veterans .
Workforce Solutions East Texas is seeking employer partners for Hiring Red, White & You!, the local celebration of Texas’ statewide veterans hiring event. Join us on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at the Tyler Workforce Center, 1421 S. Beckham Ave., Tyler. The opening ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by the hiring event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hiring Red, White & You! connects employers with veterans, transitioning service members, military spouses, and other qualified East Texas job seekers. It is an opportunity to meet candidates whose military experience often reflects leadership, adaptability, communication skills, and a strong commitment to service. This event is open to the public, making it an excellent opportunity to promote current openings and build your organization’s talent pipeline. Employer participation is available at no cost. Across Texas, Hiring Red, White & You! events have connected more than 26,000 employers with 153,000 job seekers, including more than 52,000 veterans. Employers who hire qualifying veterans may also be eligible for federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit benefits of up to $9,600 per eligible hire. Reserve your employer space today by registering at www.EastTexasWorkforce.org/hrwy .
