Workforce Solutions East Texas Board Honored with $200,000 Grant for Future Excellence in Innovation

Workforce Solutions East Texas • December 2, 2021

Workforce Solutions East Texas (WSET) was awarded a grant for future excellence in innovation during the recent 24th annual Texas Workforce Conference in Houston. The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) awarded WSET and South Texas, Northeast Texas, Gulf Coast, and North Texas Workforce Development Boards, each a $200,000 award. These funds will allow each board to create permanent programs, building upon some best innovative practices initiated and implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.


WSET's award was received for a new program launched in 2020 entitled Rural, Set, Go!, which kicked off a series of rural economic development forums to seek input from local employers, businesses, and community members on rural economic and workforce development issues. This grant award will allow WSET to expand Rural, Set, Go! to further engage community and business leaders and the broader community in candid conversations about the factors that influence their local workforce and economic development needs, particularly in-demand skills as identified by employers.


"These awards recognize the importance of providing excellent customer service at a time when Texans needed our services the most," said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. "The spirit of innovation our boards display every day helps to strengthen the Texas economy."


"Workforce Solutions East Texas exists to supply talented and qualified workers to our regional employers when they're needed. To prepare the valuable individuals who comprise our inventory, we need employers' input as we build our inventory. Rural, Set, Go helps us engage employers to learn their requirements, both for today's and tomorrow's requirement," said WSET Executive Director Doug Shryock.


Since the program launch, WSET has held twelve Rural, Set, Go! events with local employers, chamber of commerce, and economic development representatives. The events have been well received by attendees, who were provided local data on the labor market in each area and the opportunity to engage in discussion with subject matter experts on available workforce training, child care services, and other useful resources.


Rural, Set, Go! events are scheduled to return in February 2022.

Texas Labor Market Adds 8,700 Jobs in July

By Workforce Solutions East Texas • August 15, 2025
Texas had 14,333,800 total nonfarm jobs after adding 8,700 positions over the month of July. Over the year, the state added 232,500 jobs for an annual nonfarm growth rate of 1.6 percent, outpacing the national growth rate by 0.6 percentage points. Texas’ civilian labor force registered at 15,848,800 after decreasing by 1,400 people over the month of July. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 195,900 people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Texas held steady at 4.0 percent. “Even with a slight dip in the labor force last month, Texas continues to create jobs, a testament to the resilience of our workforce,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. “TWC is working hard to ensure all Texans have access to the tools and training they need to seize these new opportunities, build skills, and find meaningful work in thriving communities across our state.” The Trade, Transportation, and Utilities industry had the largest over-the-month increase in July after adding 5,500 jobs. Professional and Business Services added 3,800 jobs over the month while Construction added 2,800. In addition, the Construction industry grew by 3.2 percent over the year in Texas and outperformed the industry’s growth rate nationally by two percentage points. “Texas continues to foster job growth across a wide range of industries,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza. “TWC works every day to ensure that the workforce powering our economy is trained, supported, and ready to grow alongside the businesses that call Texas home.” The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) had the lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 3.1 percent in July, followed by the Amarillo and San Angelo MSAs at 3.2 percent. 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 August is scheduled to be released on Friday, September 19, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. (CT).

Region-Wide Job Fair on August 19th: See the Participating Employers List!

By Workforce Solutions East Texas • August 13, 2025
Workforce Solutions East Texas is bringing back its highly anticipated Windows of Opportunity Job Fair on Tuesday, August 19, 2025. This event will take place simultaneously across all five Workforce Solutions East Texas offices, providing job seekers with direct access to hiring agents from a wide range of industries. The job fair serves as a crucial bridge between local talent and top employers, facilitating face-to-face interactions that allow candidates to explore career opportunities, network with industry professionals, and even secure interviews on the spot. Whether you're looking for a new job, considering a career change, or just starting your job search, the event offers a great opportunity to tap into the vibrant job market of East Texas. The Windows of Opportunity Job Fair will feature a diverse range of employers eager to connect with job seekers in industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, retail, logistics, and more. Below is a list of participating employers by location: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Longview Workforce Center 1905 W. Loop 281, Suite 40 , Longview, TX 75604 Allied Universal Security – Security Officers TDCJ – Correction Officers Express Employment of Longview – Assistants, Customer Service Reps, & Bank Tellers ADT – Sales Representatives Christus Health – Patient Access Reps., Patient Care Techs., Patient Transporters Liberty Tax-Smart Tax – Tax Preparers Modine Manufacturing – Production, Engineering Able Staffing – Warehouse, General Labor & Day Laborer Gum Springs Water Supply Corp – Field Technicians Spherion Staffing – Brazers Athens Workforce Center 205 N. Murchison, Suite 101, Athens, TX 75751 VOLT Management – Warehouse – Schneider Electric TDCJ – Correction Officers Tarra Vineyard & Winery – Servers and Housekeeping Malakoff ISD – Bus Drivers Red Dot – Welders and CDL Drivers Diamond H Ready Mix – CDL drivers Tyler Workforce Center 4100 Troup Hwy, Tyler, TX 75703 AccentCare – Care Partners Allied Universal Security – Security Officers Austin Bank – Teller, Universal Banker, Teller Operations, Telephone CSR Tyler ISD – Tylerisd.org/careers Advance Rehabilitation Healthcare – CMA ADT – Sales Representatives CCS -Community Resource, Child Care Workers Soules Foods- Various Positions, Production Elwood Staffing-Sales Rep. Mechanics 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Palestine Workforce Center 500 E. Murchison St., Palestine, TX 75801 City of Palestine - Dispatcher, Public Works Director, Building Inspector ADT - Sales Representatives TDCJ - Correctional Officers, Parole Officers, Clerks Marshall Workforce Center 4300 E. End Blvd. S., Marshall, TX 75671 ADT – Sales Representative Christus – Patient Access Representatives, Patient Care Technicians, Patient Transporters Liberty Tax Tax Manager, Tax Preparers City of Marshall – Golf Outside Attendant, Police Officers TDCJ – Correctional Officers Gum Springs Water Supply – Field Technician
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Success Story: Cyndi McKinney Explores a New Path, Becomes Career Navigator

By Workforce Solutions East Texas • July 30, 2025
For over 14 years, Cyndi McKinney built her career in staffing, recruitment, and human resources, earning respect as a strong leader and a results-driven professional. But in an instant, everything changed. She was unexpectedly let go—a moment that could have shattered her confidence and left her feeling lost. Instead of giving up, Cyndi chose to rise. She walked into Workforce Solutions East Texas determined to find a new path, and that’s where her journey of rediscovery began. Through the Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) program, Career Navigator Korey Harrison helped her see the value in her experience, refine her resume, and uncover transferable skills she hadn’t even realized she had. With his guidance, she embraced skill-building opportunities, automated her job search with help of the Virtual Recruiter system through the Work In Texas website , and was introduced to the WIOA program for training and career advancement. Through WIOA, Specialist Eileen Taylor showed Cyndi new possibilities—certifications, training programs, and job placement services. Cyndi stayed persistent, believing that the right door would open. One day, it did. Her Virtual Recruiter led her to a job posting for a WIOA Career Navigator role—right in the same office that had been walking beside her during her hardest days. She applied for the position and just a week later, received the call she had hoped for—she was offered the job. On June 30, 2025, Cyndi stepped into her new role with Workforce Solutions East Texas, carrying not only her years of HR expertise but also the resilience of someone who has faced uncertainty and emerged stronger. "The right help at the right moment doesn't just change your path — it rewrites your story,” Cyndi said as she reflected on her journey. Today, her journey has come full circle. She’s on a mission to empower others—to be the voice that reminds job seekers they are capable, the steady hand guiding those who feel lost, and living proof that no setback is final. With courage and determination, Cyndi isn’t just building a career—she’s helping others discover their own path to rise higher than they ever imagined.
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