Red, White & You! Statewide Veterans Hiring Fair to Take Place November 10

Workforce Solutions East Texas • November 8, 2022

11th Annual Statewide Veterans Hiring Event to be Held in Tyler with 60+ Employers

For the 11th 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 in early November. TWC’s 11th 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 Tyler at the UT Ornelas Center at 3402 Old Omen Rd. from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM on Thursday, November 10. The event is veteran-focused but open for the public to attend.

 

“Workforce Solutions East Teas would like to extend an invitation and the opportunity to honor our hometown heroes, those who have sacrificed to serve our country. Please join us at the Hiring Red, White & You, one of the largest hiring events of the year with 60+ employers. This unique event will honor our veterans; however, it is open to the public,” said Workforce Center Director, Angelia Snow.

 

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.

 

Since 2022, Hiring Red, White & You! has connected more than 114,778 job seekers, including over 40,000 veterans, with 20,131 employers and the event has included over 3,198 same-day hires.

 

"On behalf of the people of Texas, I thank all of our military veterans who have served this great nation," said Governor Abbott. "Smart employers know military veterans bring unmatched skills and experience to the workplace. They understand teamwork and accountability; their professionalism, perspective, and mission focus can create a competitive advantage for any business. Military spouses also often have advanced degrees and share a similar service mindset. I encourage Texas veterans and military families to attend a Hiring Red, White & You! event in communities across the state. Let us now serve you in seeking your next rewarding career, and together we will continue creating greater opportunity for all.” 

 

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 is home to 1.5 million veterans, the largest population of veterans in any state in the country,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “Veterans have the skills, training, and leadership tools necessary to make significant contributions to the civilian workforce and a positive impact on the Texas economy.”

 

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.

 

“Each year, more than 22,000 uniformed service members transition from the military and remain or return to Texas,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. “Texas veterans honorably served our country. Through Hiring Red, White and You! TWC is serving them in the next step of their careers.”


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.

 

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

Workforce Solutions East Texas Staff Empower the Next Generation Through Workforce Education Events

By Lindsay Vanderbilt • May 27, 2025
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.

Texas Labor Market Achieves Five Consecutive Months of Record High Jobs with More Than 37,000 Added in April

May 27, 2025
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). 

Over 26,000 Jobs Added as Texas Labor Market Continues Growth Streak

By Workforce Solutions East Texas • April 21, 2025
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).
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