Workforce Solutions East Texas Expands Partnered Service Locations with Five New Access Point Locations

Workforce Solutions East Texas • February 3, 2022

Workforce Solutions East Texas (WSET) is pleased to announce five new Access Point partner locations established in East Texas. Access Point locations are service locations where WSET has established partnerships with community organizations to set up a place for job seekers to receive on-site assistance. These sites have a WSET resource area where job seekers can register for WorkInTexas.com, receive assistance with job searches, register for professional development workshops, and access resources during their staffed service hours.


The following are Access Points that opened in January:


The Panola College Access Point location is in Carthage at 1109 W Panola St. in the W.C. Smith Building, office number 116. It will be staffed every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and scheduled appointments.


The Camp County Access Point location is in Pittsburg at 200 W. Marshall St. E3 in the Habitat for Humanity building. It will be staffed every 2nd Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and for scheduled appointments.


The Rusk County Access Point location is in Henderson at 106 E. Main St. in the Rusk County Library. It will be staffed during the first Wednesday of every month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and for scheduled appointments.


The Upshur County Access Point location is in Gilmer at the Open Door Pregnancy Center. It will be staffed every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and for scheduled appointments.


The Anderson County Access Point location is in Palestine at Hope Station, located at 919 S Magnolia Street. It will be staffed every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and for scheduled appointments.


"There is nothing more invigorating than being able to live and work where we choose. Our more regional participants enjoy the space, a more relaxed pace, and the freedom to enjoy life to its fullest. At the same time, we owe our participants the same opportunities they might experience in more urban settings. We're grateful to our partners for their facilities, allowing Workforce professionals to serve participants when and where they are," said WSET Executive Director Doug Shryock. 


WSET now has a total of 12 Access Points, partnered with Kilgore College, Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, Rains County Library in Emory, Food for Life in Edgewood, Texas Tech Satellite Campus in Jefferson, and Camp V and St. Louis Baptist Church in Tyler. We plan to open new locations in Jacksonville, Palestine, and Marshall, pending agreements.

Workforce Center & Access Point Locations
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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.

Texas’ Civilian Labor Force Sets New Record as Annual Growth Rate Continues to Outpace the Nation

By Workforce Solutions East Texas • July 18, 2025
Texas’ civilian labor force achieved another new record high of 15,850,100 after adding 10,800 people over the month and marking 60 of 62 months of growth. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 237,800 people. Texas added 198,300 jobs over the year for an annual nonfarm growth rate of 1.4 percent, outpacing the national growth rate by 0.3 percentage points. The state had 14,329,200 total nonfarm jobs after decreasing by 1,900 positions over the month of June. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Texas registered at 4.0 percent after decreasing by 0.1 percentage points over the month. “The increase in the civilian labor force and the drop in the unemployment rate highlight continued strength in the Texas economy,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “TWC provides a number of tools for both job seekers and employers as we continue to grow the Texas labor force.” The Private Education and Health Services industry had the largest over-the-month increase in June after adding 6,900 jobs. Leisure and Hospitality added 3,000 jobs over the month while Information added 1,000. In addition, the Construction industry grew by 2.4 percent over the year in Texas and outperformed the industry’s growth rate nationally by 0.9 percentage points. “As Texas thrives, TWC is dedicated to empowering working Texans to share in that success," said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. "Through our strong partnerships and resources like WorkInTexas.com, targeted job fairs, and essential skills training, we're helping Texans capitalize on opportunities and achieve their career goals.” The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) had the lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 3.0 percent in June, followed by the Amarillo and San Angelo MSAs at 3.1 percent. “TWC supports a business-friendly environment, which attracts employers to Texas, creates new career paths, and contributes to a more prosperous workforce,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza. "Key sectors like Private Education and Health Services continue to add thousands of jobs and highlight the opportunities for Texas employers.” 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 July is scheduled to be released on Friday, August 15, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. (CT).

TWC Launches New Grant to Address Workforce Readiness Gaps

By Workforce Solution East Texas • June 24, 2025
 The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is now accepting applications for Skills for Success, a special initiative with Texas State Technical College (TSTC) designed to equip Texas workers with essential workforce readiness skills. “TWC is proud to partner with TSTC on Skills for Success, a program that directly aligns with our mission to connect Texans with rewarding careers,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “We are committed to ensuring our state’s employers have access to a skilled and adaptable workforce.” Through the Skills for Success grant, TWC covers all costs of specific TSTC training courses for eligible employers to create customized training packages. Employers of any size can select courses to meet their business and staffing needs. Courses train on skills such as communication, organization, teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, digital literacy, conflict resolution, time management, and more. “Skills for Success isn’t just a training program; it’s a launchpad for Texan careers,” said Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. “By equipping individuals with essential soft skills, we’re empowering them to earn better wages, secure fulfilling jobs, and build stronger futures for their families and communities.” Funded through the state’s Skills Development Fund, Skills for Success is available to private employers with full-time employees working anywhere in Texas. By developing and emphasizing the importance of these foundational skills, this program aims to improve employee performance, increase retention rates, and foster a more adaptable workforce to meet the evolving needs of Texas employers. “Small, medium, and large employers across the state have expressed the need for motivated employees who demonstrate technical and workforce readiness skills, like flexibility, leadership, and attention to detail,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza. “The Skills for Success program will bridge a skills gap and create a stronger workforce for Texas employers.” Texas businesses interested in participating in the Skills for Success grant are encouraged to visit www.twc.texas.gov/sfs for the application, course catalog, eligibility requirements, and contact information.
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