|
Texas Achieves 10 Consecutive Months of Record High Jobs with 41,800 Added in May
Texas’ annual nonfarm employment expanded by 2.3 percent which outpaced the nation by half a point, as the state added 316,700 jobs since May 2023.
After decades of lobbying by Christian conservative donors, school voucher legislation may finally have the votes
Gov. Greg Abbott succeeded in his campaign against Republicans who defied him on school vouchers. Now he may finally get the votes he needs to pass a bill.
With too few mental health providers, more patients turn to primary care
While primary care is experiencing its own workforce shortage, the profession is shouldering more mental health screenings to help bridge the behavioral health provider gap.
HELP Committee Holds Hearing on WIOA Reauthorization
On June 12, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee held a hearing about reauthorizing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
TWC Awards $149,364 Training Grant to Workforce Solutions Lower Rio Grande Valley and Local Partners
Workforce Solutions Lower Rio Grande Valley will use the grant in partnership with Pharr Economic Development Corporation and Rio Grande Valley College to help train 50 individuals for high-demand occupations as life scientists, occupational health and safety technicians, medical assistants, phlebotomists, and more.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance Available in Eight Additional Counties Due to Impacts of Recent Severe Weather
The amended Presidential Disaster Declaration now includes Austin, Bell, Calhoun, Collin, Cooke, Coryell, Ellis, Dallas, Denton, Eastland, Falls, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Henderson, Hockley, Jasper, Jones, Kaufman, Lamar, Leon, Liberty, Montague, Montgomery, Navarro, Newton, Polk, San Jacinto, Smith, Terrell, Trinity, Tyler, Van Zandt, Walker, and Waller Counties.
TWC Awards $122,013 Training Grant to Workforce Solutions Texoma and Local Partners
Workforce Solutions Texoma will use the grant in partnership with Denison Independent School District, Grayson College, and Texas Industries to purchase equipment that will help prepare 36 individuals for high-demand occupations in the semiconductor manufacturing industry.
Child Care Challenges
One of the most significant problems facing working parents is finding high-quality, affordable child care. It's an issue not only for the families involved, but also for the workforce, the economy, society, and long-term prosperity.
TWC Launches New Grant Program to Invest in Texas’ Future Workforce
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is now accepting applications for the Lone Star Workforce of the Future Fund, a program designed to increase qualified workers in high-demand occupations. The program was created by the 88th Texas Legislature through the passage of HB 1755, then signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott.
An Alabama manufacturer shows how to retain working moms: child care
When the joint-venture auto plant went into full production in 2022, its leaders considered what was needed to lure a modern-day workforce. Child care was near the top.
High school students’ math scores are still lagging, STAAR results show
Algebra scores have not recovered since the pandemic, raising worries about students’ readiness for STEM-related jobs.
Full Capacity Marketing Announces Affiliate Partnership with TAWB to Benefit its Members & Agencies Across Texas
New course builds brand capacity of workforce & education organizations.
Childcare deserts continue spreading throughout Texas
According to Children at Risk, a childcare desert is any area where there is three times the number of children under the age of six than there are childcare seats in a certain zip code. In Texas alone, Children at Risk recently shared data showing that 333 zip codes represent childcare deserts.
Low-wage states with cheap housing dominated the post-pandemic jobs boom
California and New York fell to the bottom of the heap, according to a Stateline analysis.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance Now Available in Four Additional Counties Impacted by Recent Severe Weather, Flooding
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) in four additional counties impacted by the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding that began on April 26. As noted in the announcement from Governor Greg Abbott, the amended Presidential Disaster Declaration now includes Calhoun, Collin, Cooke, Denton, Eastland, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Liberty, Montague, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, Walker, and Waller Counties.
TWC Kicks off Annual Program Connecting Students with Disabilities to Meaningful Employment
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is announcing the launch of this year’s Summer Earn and Learn (SEAL) program for students aged 14-22 with disabilities. Through work-based learning, SEAL participants earn a paycheck as they learn new skills and gain professional experience. Employers participating in SEAL benefit from the addition of engaged and enthusiastic team members.
McKenzie: Texas’ third century will require smart education strategies
What recent graduates can tell us about the future of the Texas workforce.
Colorado is launching a teacher apprenticeship program in race to solve chronic staff shortages
The program, launching for prospective teachers next year, will be tailored toward individuals who don’t yet have a bachelor’s degree
Texas Labor Market Continues to Expand in April With More Than 42,000 Jobs Added
Texas added 306,000 jobs from April 2023 to April 2024. Texas’ annual nonfarm growth rate currently sits at 2.2 percent, outpacing the U.S. growth rate by 0.4 percentage points.
Commerce Department Announces Workforce Policy Agenda
On May 14, the Department of Commerce announced a Department Administrative Order (DAO) to establish a workforce policy agenda focused on preparing the workforce with the skills necessary to accelerate the development and deployment of emerging technologies.
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.
With the rise of AI, workforce planning is critical. But many governments don’t do it.
Long-term workforce planning is crucial, especially with the rise of generative AI. However, despite predictions of significant job changes due to emerging technology, many state and local governments struggle to prioritize such planning.
Dade Phelan directs House leaders to revisit vouchers, property taxes in the next legislative session
The Beaumont Republican issued his interim charges even as it remains unclear whether he’ll be reelected.
In rural Texas, ERs are facing a growing mental health crisis
The mental health workforce shortage is more acute in rural areas, adding to rising patient loads in hospital ERs.
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.
|
