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    Virtual Town Hall: ResET, Re-Employ East Texas Video Now Available

    Workforce Solutions East Texas • May 15, 2020

    Did you miss our Virtual Town Hall? Watch it on YouTube.

    Workforce Solutions East Texas hosted a Virtual Town Hall: ResET, Re-Employ East Texas, on Thursday, May 14, 2020, for East Texas elected officials, economic developers, chambers, and business leaders. The event featured a panel of special guest speakers including Texas Workforce Commissioner, Aaron Demerson; State Comptroller, Glenn Hegar; Texas Economic Development Council President/CEO, Carlton Schwab; Longview Chamber President, Kelly Hall; and ETCOG Small Business Loan Manager, Chuck Vanderbilt. Texas Representative, Matt Schaefer, kicked off the event with welcome and introductory comments.

    “East Texans, along with the state, nation, and world, have suffered a devastating blow to our thriving economy,” said Workforce Solutions East Texas’ Executive Director, Doug Shryock. “COVID-19 was a tsunami, sweeping out our record low unemployment levels and leaving behind a landscape of destruction. But a tsunami works in two directions; the initial hit, followed by a backlash. Join us as together we dig out and put our jobs and economy back on a stable foundation.”

    Workforce Solutions East Texas Center Director, Mary Ann Rojas, welcomed the panelists and invited them to offer their perspectives and expertise on COVID-19 measures to ReSet the East Texas Workforce through:

    • Jobs Availability
    • Changes to Business Models
    • Safety in the Workplace
    • Virtual Learning and Working

    “The human element always shines brightest in moments of uncertainty,” said Workforce Solutions East Texas Center Director, Mary Ann Rojas. “Through this crisis we have learned to be a little more patient, a little more caring and what it means to be kind. It has shined a light on our talents as workforce professionals and business leaders and has put a focus on workplace safety just as it has revealed the true value of work and the America worker. We are going to do our best to support our business partners and further develop the skills of our workforce.”

    The discussion panel was moderated be ETCOG’s Director of Workforce & Economic Development, Doug Shryock. Approximately 90 attendees joined the virtual meeting hosted on Zoom. 
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