Texas Workforce Commission Celebrates Texas Veterans

AUSTIN – In recognition of Veterans Day on Saturday, November 11, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) would like to thank all veterans for their sacrifice and service. TWC encourages Texas employers to hire our veterans and take advantage of the unique talents, skills and discipline that our nation’s returning veterans 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 military service translate well to the civilian workforce in fields ranging from engineering to medicine.

TWC is committed to working with its partners to assist transitioning veterans by providing priority service at all Workforce Solutions offices, job placement advantages and training through a variety of initiatives and programs just for veterans. In addition, employers hiring veterans may benefit from a federal tax reduction through the Work Opportunity Tax Credit program.

TWC invites Texas employers and veterans to participate in the Sixth Annual Hiring Red, White & You! statewide hiring events on Thursday, November 9. TWC  sponsors these events in partnership with 28 local workforce boards, the Texas Veterans Commission and Texas Medical Center. These hiring events connect veterans and their spouses with employers across Texas who have job openings and wish to hire veterans to fill those jobs. The hiring fairs have connected more than 58,000 veterans with over 8,400 employers.

Other TWC programs and services for veterans include:

Texas Veterans Leadership Program
TWC’s Texas Veterans Leadership Program helps connect veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan to networks and resources tailored to address veterans’ needs ranging from employment and training to medical care, mental health and counseling, veterans benefits and more. These connections are made through peer advisors known as Veterans Resource and Referral Specialists that are located throughout the state.

College Credit for Heroes
TWC’s College Credit for Heroes initiative allows veterans to apply the knowledge and experience gained in the military toward college credit, helping their transition into the civilian workforce. The program launched in 2011 with the goal of recognizing that veterans come equipped with knowledge and skills gained through military service that apply to the civilian workforce in many industries. To date, 48 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 medical, security, energy, information technology, fire investigation and logistics.

Texas Skills to Work
TWC’s online military to civilian occupation translator, www.texasskillstowork.com, helps service members match military skills and experience to civilian occupations.

Skills for Veterans
TWC’s Skills for Veterans addresses the unique challenges and training needs of post-9/11 veterans entering the Texas workforce. TWC has set aside $1 million to fund this initiative to enhance the skills of veterans, which will benefit employers.

WorkInTexas.com
Veterans are given priority 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.

Texas Operation Welcome Home
The Texas Operation Welcome Home website, texasworkforce.org/texas-operation-welcome-home, spotlights TWC’s Skills for Transition Program that assists separating military service members who are seeking employment in the civilian workforce. The Texas Operation Welcome Home website also includes information about our “We Hire Vets” program that recognizes Texas employers for their commitment to hiring veterans.

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

Sincerely,

Andres Alcantar, Chairman and Commissioner Representing the Public

Ruth R. Hughs, Commissioner Representing Employers

Julian Alvarez, Commissioner Representing Labor