Workforce Update - April 2024

The Brand Amplifier for Workforce & Education

TAWB is now live with The Brand Amplifier for Workforce & Education course in partnership with Full Capacity Marketing (FCM). You can check out the landing page for all the details of the course curriculum, and view the national press release that was released last week.

As part of the new affiliate partnership, TAWB will host a free webinar on May 16, The Brand Amplifier Process: An Integrated Approach to Workforce & Education Marketing, facilitated by FCM executives to get an overview of FCM’s framework which has earned more than 75 global awards for its customers.

Participants are entered into a raffle to win a seat in FCM’s online course, and they will offer a few freebie bonuses and some live coaching during the webinar, including time-saving social media and AI resources.

Make sure to register for the webinar which will take place on May 16 at 1pm CST. Share the registration link with your colleagues and we look forward to seeing you there!

TAWB Weighs In on ASWA

Earlier this month TAWB sent letters to the Texas congressional delegation re: H.R. 6655, A Stronger Workforce for America Act (ASWA), to highlight the encouraging elements of the legislation, and also to express reservations regarding core aspects of the bill. This letter to Rep. Nathaniel Moran, who serves on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, is a sample of the letters sent to every member of the Texas congressional delegation. 

Unfortunately, the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 6655 on April 9 with overwhelming bipartisan support. TAWB will continue to work with our colleagues at the National Association of Workforce Boards and the US Workforce Association to influence positive revisions to the bill as it works its way through the U.S. Senate.

TAWB Quarterly Meeting

The TAWB Quarterly Membership Meeting on April 18 provided a unique opportunity for members to interact and provide input to the Texas Industry Based Certification Advisory Council at the Forney ISD's Keith Bell Opportunity Central. Members also were treated to a tour of "The OC," an innovative multipurpose campus serving career development, access to higher education, and community engagement.

The Industry-Based Certification Advisory Council was established to advise the Texas Workforce Commission regarding the alignment of public high school career and technology education programs with current and future workforce needs in communities, regions, and the state. During the Advisory Council's meeting, several representatives from member Local Workforce Development Boards shared their suggestions for increasing the timely approval of sorely needed industry certifications to better address the workforce needs of Texas employers.

The quarterly meeting also included a robust discussion of state public education legislative issues with State Rep. Keith Bell, and an informative briefing with TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Trevino.

USDA to Invest $49.5 Million in Education and Workforce Development Programs

USDA has $49.5 million to invest in the AFRI Education and Workforce Development program, and will expand job-based experiential learning opportunities to prepare students for the workforce.

House-Passed WIOA Bill Misses the Mark

The National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB), which serves, supports, and represents the more than 590 local and state workforce boards that are charged with implementing WIOA, is extremely disappointed that this legislation continues to include several provisions that undermine local communities’ ability to develop solutions that promote economic vitality.  

Texas groups join suit to halt FTC rule banning noncompetes

Business groups, led by a pair of Texas advocacy associations, stepped in quickly Wednesday seeking a halt to a rule issued by the Federal Trade Commission banning employers from using noncompete clauses to keep workers from going to a competitor.

Texas Labor Market Shows Steady Growth, Record High Levels for Jobs and Labor Force

The Texas labor market maintained its momentum in March to reach a 36th consecutive month of positive annual growth and once again set new record-high levels for jobs, Texans employed, and the civilian labor force.

Texas is struggling to diversify its mental health workforce as the state becomes less white

More than 40% of the state’s population is Hispanic, but its mental health provider population is more than 80% white.

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Preliminary Terms with Samsung Electronics to Establish Leading-Edge Semiconductor Ecosystem in Central Texas

The proposed CHIPS investment also includes up to $40 million in dedicated workforce funding.

A $9.4B loss: Texas restaurants, businesses pursue child care reform with economic lens

Restaurants, hotels, insurance companies and financial institutions are among more than 50 entities banding together alongside early childhood experts to advocate for child care policy reform during the upcoming 2025 legislative session.

The Short‑Term Outlook for the US Economy

The number of US job openings remains high, though down from those in the early stages of the pandemic recovery; many industries continue to experience severe shortages.

The Key Benefits of Career and Technical Education Programs in High School

Career and technical education in high school is considered a way to increase earnings and education after students graduate, but it also is a tool to reduce the most adverse socioeconomic outcomes in the years immediately following graduation.

Costs for work visas and green cards in U.S. are going up — a lot

Applying for a work visa or green card just became more expensive. The new fees, including some which are significantly higher, go into effect today, April 1.

Texas government is failing working moms and young families | Opinion

Texas lawmakers should be creating a welcoming and safe workplace, instead of making it more difficult for working parents.

Biden-Harris Administration Allocates More Than $800 Million to Increase Digital Inclusion Efforts

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced today the availability and individual state allocations of approximately $811 million in funding to states, territories, and native entities to empower individuals and communities with the tools, skills, and opportunities to benefit from meaningful access to high-speed Internet service.

Free Webinar: Insight into the U.S. 2024 IT Landscape

QS Academy is proud to partner with TAWB to bring you this engaging and compelling presentation. Topics that will be covered:

• IT Job/Career Training Market Insights
• 2024 IT Job Market Trends and Key Highlights
• Addressing IT Skills and Job Gaps
• Tackling Challenges in IT Career Training
• Plus, many more!

May 13, 2024

12:30pm – 2:00pm CST

Register now

Texas Senate Interim Charges

The April 26 TWC Austin Board Update provides a list of Senate Interim Charges for the 88th Texas Legislature as released by Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick.

Leveraging House Bill 8 to Align with Regional Workforce Needs

Presentation by Texas Association of Community Colleges at TAWB 4th Quarter, 2023 meetings in Houston.

College and Career Possibilities Rooted in Place: How Rural Community College and Industry Partnerships Help People, Communities, and Business Thrive

NSC’s new report, College and Career Possibilities Rooted in Place highlights how industry partnerships benefit rural learners and employers alike – and shines a light on the rich variety of rural contexts, state systems, investments, and policies that can help drive and sustain effective partnerships between rural community colleges and local industry.

Rethinking Career and Technical Education for Individuals Who Are Incarcerated: What Works?

A new study shows that individuals who complete career and technical education programs while incarcerated don’t have better employment outcomes or lower rates of recidivism when measured against a comparison group that did not. Instead of focusing on career-oriented programming, prisons should prioritize individuals with high needs, developing basic education programs and reducing practical barriers to employment.

Urban Institute Project: Building America’s Workforce

Work plays a crucial role in helping people achieve economic security, mobility, and a sense of purpose. Urban Institute researchers are analyzing changing labor markets and employers’ needs to identify effective strategies for educating, training, and retaining workers.

The Vital Role of Associations in Workforce Development

Learn more about the vital role associations play in workforce development by providing the necessary skills, knowledge, and networks for a thriving workforce in various industries.

Putting It All Together To Improve Workforce Systems

The Harvard Workforce Almanac is a first-of-its-kind open-source directory mapping thousands of workforce training providers across the US. The workforce training system in the US has historically been treated in fragmentation, Nathalie Gazzaneo, co-director of Harvard Project on Workforce, shares. This resource is an attempt to address that, offering a more system-level overview and understanding of how the workforce development sector, specifically training, is serving American workers and American communities.

Watch a Texas Tribune conversation on meeting the state’s health care workforce needs

At Texas State Technical College in Waco, medical experts discussed how Texas schools are addressing workforce shortages and what else is needed to address our state’s needs.

April Texas Labor Market Review

Monthly newsletter produced by TWC Labor Market and Career Information Department

covering issues relating to the Texas economy.

C2 Global Professional Services was founded to offer a viable, and now successfully proven, alternative to what is available in terms of service providers. We look for Workforce Investment Board partners to commit to working beyond workforce dogma to improve communities, invest in staff development to achieve exceptional customer service and invest in innovation and technology to improve the system.

iCEV: Since 1984, iCEV has specialized in providing quality CTE curriculum and educational resources. iCEV is the most comprehensive online resource for CTE educators and students, offering curriculum for several major subject areas, including agricultural science, trade & industrial education, business & marketing, career exploration, family & consumer science, health science, law enforcement and STEM education. Additionally, iCEV acts as a certification testing platform for industry certifications. Nationally and internationally recognized companies and organizations utilize iCEV as the testing platform for their certifications. For more information, visit www.icevonline.com.

The Conover Company has been developing tools for over 40 years to help workforce professionals assess and train their clients with the social and emotional skills for success. Their online tools help you stay focused on outcomes by making sure the assessments drive training so it is meaningful for every individual client you serve and you get the results you are looking for.

Equifax/Carahsoft delivers trusted, unique data, analytics, technology, and expertise to drive innovation and transform knowledge into insights. Equifax empowers government agencies, nonprofit organizations, workforce boards and commercial clients to make more informed decisions, maximize program efficiency, and improve the customer experience. Equifax manages The Work Number®, the largest, centralized commercial repository of consolidated employment and income information for use by the private and public sectors. For customers with a permissible purpose under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”), Equifax enables real-time eligibility decisions by providing verifications of employment and income. Data is updated every pay period (as provided by the employer), so you have access to the most up-to-date information to gauge program success of the individuals who have elected to participate in the program. For more information about the Equifax Products and Services visit the website https://www.carahsoft.com/equifax or contact us at 844.747.6222.

Equus Workforce Solutions: Our dedicated and passionate team of 2,500+ workforce

professionals puts the industry's best practices to work across more than 350 North American locations, assisting approximately 1.9 million job seekers and thousands of employers annually. Together with our partners and collaborators, we work every day to change lives, advance economies, and help communities thrive.

Geographic Solutions is the leading provider of integrated software for state and local workforce agencies in over 35 states and U.S. territories. For 30 years, the company has developed innovative online solutions for job seekers, employers, service providers, and agency staff that enhance service delivery and increase customer satisfaction. Geographic Solutions’ custom software solutions effectively manage all federally-funded partner programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and have been designed specifically to meet the diverse needs of American Job Centers, economic development agencies, human service entities, unemployment agencies, departments of corrections, and educational institutions.

Grant Associates is a national, award-winning workforce development company. Since opening our doors in 1997, we have collaborated with government agencies to develop workforce programs and solutions that create the opportunities that advance job seekers, businesses and local economies, all with exceptional results. At Grant Associates, we know every community's workforce needs are unique. With proven models and in active partnership with government, Grant Associates' mission is to tailor solutions that build workforce capacity, proving over the past two decades that our approach helps a community reach its true potential.

KRA Corporation, a national leader in workforce development for 40+ years, supports workforce boards by delivering WIOA, TANF, SNAP-E&T, and related programs, including initiatives targeting specific employer and jobseeker requirements. A black-owned company, KRA leads efforts to integrate DEI into workforce development. We also lead the industry in delivering a consultative approach to business services, and infuse family-focused principles into everything we do. KRA leverages all available resources, partnering to integrate education, skills development, occupational training, support services, and employment. KRA provides the highest levels of innovative programming, exceptional service, and trusted results for all valued clients, businesses, and jobseekers.

Metrix Learning® is an online learning platform designed to meet the needs of states, workforce boards, and their customers. Learners can assess their job skills, remediate skill gaps, and take over 100 certification training programs to prepare for new employment opportunities. Metrix Learning® offers over 6,000 online courses, career pathways tools, digital badges, gamification, and is integrated with WorkInTexas.

Purpose Co is a workforce consulting firm that specializes in designing and implementing custom workforce solutions and strategies that create sustainable outcomes for people and businesses, including pathways to quality in-demand jobs, economic mobility, competitive businesses and regional economic prosperity, including solutions that address the specific needs of job seekers, workers, employers and practitioners.

QuickStart exists to create world-class technologists by personalizing and individualizing training to address the massive skills gap in the IT industry. Through 20 years of research and data analysis, we’ve learned that a modern learner prefers to learn through multiple modalities such as self-paced online learning, virtual instructor-led training, on-the-job training, implementation and hands-on experience through labs, mentoring, and social and peer-to-peer learning. We packaged all the modalities into a single cloud-based platform called CLIPP.

Texas Economic Development Council: The Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC) is an Austin-based professional association for economic developers across the state of Texas. We are the largest state association of economic development professionals, volunteers, and elected officials. Our membership consists of over 1,000 individuals, representing more than 630 public and private economic development organizations, including more than 400 communities. Our diverse and expansive membership shares a common goal -- bringing new investment and jobs to Texas by developing strategies that promote a positive business climate in our state.