A Veterans Day Message from the Commissioners of the Texas Workforce Commission

From Staff Reports

In recognition of Veterans Day, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) thanks all veterans for their service and encourages Texas employers to hire our veterans and take advantage of the unique talents, skills and discipline that our nation’s returning soldiers can provide in a variety of industries and occupations. TWC also encourages veterans to seek out the many programs and services offered by TWC and its Workforce Solutions partners to assist them as they transition to the civilian workforce.

The leadership skills, teamwork and discipline that our veterans gain through their military service translate well to the civilian workforce in fields ranging from engineering to medicine. In addition, employers who hire veterans may benefit from a Work Opportunity Tax Credit on their business income taxes.

TWC is committed to working with its partners to help veterans transition to civilian life, by providing priority service at all Workforce Solutions offices, job placement advantages and training through a variety of initiatives and programs just for veterans.

TWC invites Texas employers and veterans to participate in the Third Annual Hiring Red, White & You! statewide hiring events on Thursday, Nov. 13. TWC sponsors these events in partnership with Texas’ 28 local workforce boards and the Texas Veterans Commission. These hiring events connect veterans and their spouses with employers statewide who have job openings and wish to hire veterans to fill those jobs. The first two events connected more than 21,000 veterans with more than 3,000 employers and resulted in an estimated 3,500 job placements. To find a Hiring Red, White & You! event near you, visit texasworkforce.org/hrwy.

Other TWC programs and services for veterans include:

Veteran and Industry Partnership (VIP)

Texas’ Skills Development Fund training dollars are being provided to community colleges in certain regions of the state to train veterans for high demand occupations in those areas. The program addresses the need for jobs for veterans and the growing demand for skilled workers in the petrochemical manufacturing, advanced manufacturing and information technology industries.

Texas Veterans Leadership Program

TWC’s Texas Veterans Leadership Program helps connect veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with resource and referral specialists who direct them to resources tailored to their needs in programs ranging from employment and training to medical care, mental health and counseling, veterans’ benefits, and more.

College Credit for Heroes

A TWC initiative, which allows veterans to apply the knowledge and experience they gained in the military toward college credit in order to transition efficiently to the civilian workforce. The program wrapped up its second phase this summer, which expanded the program to more regions of the state and developed accelerated curricula in new career fields. The program launched in 2011 with the goal of recognizing that veterans come equipped with knowledge and skills gained through their military service that apply to the civilian workforce in many industries. To date, 30 colleges and universities have partnered with TWC on this initiative by awarding college credit and creating accelerated pathways to degrees and certificates in academic areas such as security, energy, information technology, fire investigation and logistics.

WorkInTexas.com

Veterans are given priority advance access to certain jobs on TWC’s comprehensive online employment resource, WorkInTexas.com. In addition, employers can post opportunities and request job applicants who are veterans.

Apprenticeship Program for Veterans

The Apprenticeship Program for Veterans helps veterans quickly enter into a registered apprenticeship program and receive accelerated training for high-wage, high-demand occupations.

Texas Wide Open for Veterans

Coming soon, the Texas Wide Open for Veterans website will spotlight available opportunities for veterans and their families who are considering remaining in or moving to Texas upon separating from the military. The site will promote the state’s economic, educational and employment opportunities.

Please join us in honoring our veterans on Veterans Day and every day. For a full list of veteran’s services visit: texasworkforce.org/veterans.