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 added 40,100 nonfarm jobs in January to reach a total of 14,379,500 positions. Over the year, the state added 112,200 jobs for an annual nonfarm growth rate of 0.8 percent, outpacing the national growth rate by 0.6 percentage points. Texas’ civilian labor force registered at 15,955,200 after decreasing by 3,400 over the month. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 152,000 people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Texas remained stable at 4.3 percent. “Texas employers continue to spur our state’s economic momentum, adding more than 40,000 jobs across a wide range of major industries,” said TWC Chairman Joe Esparza. “TWC remains committed to supporting Texas’ pro-growth policies and world-class talent pipeline that make Texas the best place to do business.” The Construction industry had the largest private sector over-the-month increase in January after adding 11,800 jobs. Construction also posted an annual growth rate of 3.4 percent in January, which was the highest of any major industry. The Leisure and Hospitality industry and Private Education and Health Services industry each added 10,300 jobs over the month while Professional and Business Services added 10,200. “The growth we're seeing in sectors like Construction and Leisure and Hospitality is promising, but we need to ensure these jobs translate into real opportunities for Texas workers,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Trevino III. “That's why TWC's focus on apprenticeship programs and initiatives like the Jobs and Education for Texans grant is vital, providing the training and resources Texans need to succeed in these growing fields and build lasting careers.” The Amarillo metropolitan statistical area (MSA) had the lowest unemployment rate with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 3.3 percent in January. It was followed by the Midland MSA at 3.4 percent and the San Angelo MSA at 3.5 percent. “Job growth in Texas continues to outpace the nation thanks in large part to a dynamic workforce system that enables both employers and job seekers to thrive,” said TWC Commissioner Representing the Public Brent Connett. “TWC resources connect working Texans with high-demand career opportunities while ensuring Texas businesses have access to a skilled workforce.” 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, April 17, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. (CT).
Tuesday, April 28 | Athens, Longview, Marshall, Palestine, and Tyler
The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) has recognized Dr. Robert Haberle with the Regional Shining Star Award, a distinction reserved for individuals who go above and beyond in service to the region. Unlike traditional awards, the Regional Shining Star Award is not part of a public nomination process. It is presented only in rare cases when someone demonstrates exceptional, long-term commitment to ETCOG and its programs. Dr. Haberle’s 15 years of service make him a clear and deserving recipient. Dr. Haberle has served on the Workforce Solutions East Texas Board since 2011. During that time, he has played a key role in shaping workforce development efforts across the region. Workforce Solutions East Texas operates with an annual budget of more than $60 million, providing no-cost employment and recruitment services to businesses and job seekers. Over the past year alone, those efforts have supported more than 81,000 businesses and individuals. The program has awarded nearly $1 million in job training scholarships, helped thousands of unemployment claimants return to work, and provided child care assistance to more than 9,000 families. It has also invested millions into improving child care quality and supporting local providers. Dr. Haberle’s leadership has helped guide these efforts year after year, contributing to long-term impact across East Texas communities. Board members are appointed by local elected officials, and Dr. Haberle was appointed by Cherokee County Judge Chris Davis. Throughout his tenure, he has served in several leadership roles, including Chair of the Workforce Centers Committee, Vice Chairman, and Board Chairman. From October 2016 through September 2022, he served six years as Chairman. During that time, he helped strengthen collaboration between the Workforce Board and the CEO Board, ensuring alignment and shared leadership across the region. Even after his time as Chairman, Dr. Haberle has remained actively involved. He continues to lead the Workforce Centers Committee and has played an important role in the development of new workforce centers in Longview and Tyler. His service extends beyond East Texas. Dr. Haberle currently serves as Vice Chair of the Texas Association of Workforce Boards and represents the region at the national level through the National Association of Workforce Boards. Prior to his work in workforce development, Dr. Haberle served as Mayor of Jacksonville from 2005 to 2011. During that time, he also represented the city on the ETCOG General Board and contributed to regional efforts through the Texas Municipal League. Dr. Haberle’s leadership, service, and dedication have left a lasting impact on workforce development and regional collaboration in East Texas. ETCOG proudly recognizes Dr. Robert Haberle as a Regional Shining Star Award recipient and thanks him for his continued commitment to the communities he serves.
