Workforce Solutions East Texas Brings Home Performance Award and $75K from Texas Workforce Commission Annual Conference
Workforce Solutions East Texas • December 13, 2019
Left to right: WSET staff, Tassie Whitener; TWC Commissioner Aaron Demerson; WSET staff, ShaRhonda Miles; WSET staff, Monty Scroggins; WSET staff, Mary Jane Wagner; TWC Executive Director, Ed Serna; WSET Board member, Mary Berry; WSET Board member Claretta Allen; WSET Executive Director, Doug Shryock; WSET Board member, Claude Figueroa; WSET Board Chairman, Robert Haberle; WSET staff, Regina Allen; WSET staff, Keith Huddleston; WSET staff, Valerie Hatten; TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel; TWC Commissioner, Julian Alvarez III.
Workforce Solutions East Texas (WSET) was recognized for outstanding performance with a Texas Rising Star Child Care Award and a $75,000 performance incentive grant at the Texas Workforce Commission’s (TWC) 23rd Annual Texas Workforce Conference held December 4-6th in Grapevine. As one of the conference highlights, local workforce development boards are recognized for outstanding accomplishments with performance awards. The awards are presented by TWC Commissioners Bryan Daniel, Chairman, Commissioner Representing the Public; Aaron Demerson, Commissioner Representing Employers; and Julian Alvarez III, Commissioner Representing Labor.
WSET received a $75,000 performance incentive grant for the Texas Rising Star Child Care Award, designating it as one of the top three performing agencies in the State. This award originated in 2017, and the East Texas board has been an award recipient for each of the three years it has been available. The Award honors local boards having improved the quality of child care through the development of exemplary child care programs, that demonstrating positive outcomes for the population served. This year, WSET staff created “Recipes for Early Childhood Quality Education,” a 14-section book with 116 pages of objectives, “ingredients,” and directions for 99 quality education learning experiences. Activities in the book guided educators through quality experiences by providing future activities. A total of 1,100 books were distributed within East Texas: to each TRS educator and every regional child care provider.
"I am extremely proud of Workforce Solutions East Texas and all who played a role in our successes at the TWC Annual Conference in Grapevine...the Board, our Executive Director, our amazing staff and the system partners and operators. To try to name everyone individually would be impossible. It truly represents a team effort,” said board Chairman, Dr. Robert Haberle. “Bringing home to East Texas recognition by the Texas Workforce Commission and our peers is truly an honor that reinforces the dedication of our local region to workforce excellence."
The conference also recognizes an employer in each board region of the State with an Employer of Excellence Award. WSET nominated Times Square Grand Slam (TSGS), a family entertainment center located in Tyler, Texas, to be recognized with the award. TSGS employs 200+ employees and have partnered with WSET to offer on the job training and work experience programs as well as providing positive employment opportunities for struggling members of the community.
The total number of nonfarm jobs in Texas registered at 14,354,600 after decreasing by 8,500 positions in February. Over the year, the state added 73,800 jobs for an annual nonfarm growth rate of 0.5 percent, outpacing the national growth rate by 0.4 percentage points. Texas’ civilian labor force registered at 15,941,800 after decreasing by 13,400 over the month. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 121,200 people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Texas remained stable at 4.3 percent. “Texas’ over-the-year growth trajectory remains strong because we have cultivated a pro-business climate that helps employers grow and generate new opportunities for working Texans,” said TWC Chairman Joe Esparza. “The Texas Workforce Commission is investing strategically in programs that foster long-term economic prosperity across all regions of our state.” The Professional and Business Services industry had the largest private sector over-the-month increase in February after adding 6,300 jobs. In addition, Manufacturing added 2,500 jobs over the month while Information added 200. Construction posted the highest annual growth rate of any major industry for the 19th month in a row at 2.7 percent in February. “The addition of more than 121,000 people to the labor force over the year reinforces the need to make sure all Texans can participate in—and benefit from—our evolving economy,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. “The Texas workforce system is addressing the needs of today while anticipating those of tomorrow through initiatives like Texas Intern Network, which connects young Texans with employers.” The Midland metropolitan statistical area (MSA) had the lowest unemployment rate with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 3.3 percent in February. It was followed by the San Angelo MSA at 3.5 percent and the Abilene MSA at 3.6 percent. “The foundations of the Texas economy are strong, and our employers and workers are resilient and adaptable,” said TWC Commissioner Representing the Public Brent Connett. “It’s encouraging to see robust growth surging across key industries like Construction and Professional and Business Services, signaling that there is ample cause for optimism.” 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 March is scheduled to be released on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. (CT).
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is now accepting applications for its Workforce Diploma Pilot Program. This funding opportunity is intended to support programs that help adult learners in Texas obtain a high-school diploma, earn industry-recognized credentials, and develop employability skills. The Workforce Diploma Pilot Program is designed to create new career pathways for adult learners. The program connects adults who have not completed high school with education providers that offer a combination of academic instruction, career training, and supportive coaching. Eligible applicants must be authorized to grant a high school diploma in Texas or partner with an accredited entity that is authorized. Applicants are also required to have at least two years of experience in dropout reengagement services for adult students. This includes experience in academic assessments, proactive coaching, employability skills training, and preparation for industry-recognized credentials. Interested organizations must submit their completed responses by May 5, 2026. The complete request for qualifications (RFQ), including all requirements and submission documents, can be found online at: https://www.txsmartbuy.gov/esbd/3202600137 . Organizations must use this portal to submit their response. All questions regarding this RFQ should be emailed to vendorproposals@twc.texas.gov .
Tuesday, April 28 | Athens, Longview, Marshall, Palestine, and Tyler
