Texas Workforce Commission partners with Texas Veterans Commission

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) announces the State of
Texas Soldier Employment Initiative (STSEI), developed in partnership
with the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) as part of a $750,000 U.S.
Department of Labor (DOL) funded pilot project to help returning U.S.
Army veterans find employment prior to separating from the service,
particularly in growing industries in Texas such as the medical, energy
and technology fields.

“Texas is home to 450,000 Iraq and
Afghanistan veterans and TWC recognizes this exceptional group of
individuals by supporting a variety of workforce programs to help them
transition to civilian life,” said TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar. “We are
proud to develop this pilot project that can serve as an example to
other states and help our heroes gain employment.”

As part of
the initiative, TWC and TVC representatives will work with military,
community and employer organizations, including the Army Career and
Alumni Program and the Transitional Assistance Program, to identify
areas of need for veteran employment services and implement data sharing
among partners to increase program efficiencies and avoid overlap of
services. STSEI dedicated staff also will create a computer database
service that will consider a soldier’s wide range of knowledge and
translate that experience into skills statements understood and
validated by civilian employers.

“The Texas Veterans Commission
is pleased to partner with the Texas Workforce Commission for this
initiative to help our soldiers and veterans find meaningful employment
that fits their professional needs,” said TVC Executive Director Thomas
Palladino. “All STSEI representatives are veterans themselves, and there
is immense value in veterans being served and assisted by fellow
veterans to provide high-quality employment services that those military
service men and women have earned by defending our country.”

STSEI
representatives will be located in four workforce development board
areas that provide services to communities near Fort Hood in Killeen,
Fort Bliss in El Paso, Camp Mabry in Austin and Ellington Air Field in
Houston. The STSEI will enhance existing outreach efforts on specific
populations of veterans, including active duty soldiers within 90 days
of separation from the Army; Texas Army National Guard and Army Reserve
soldiers returning from deployment; veterans already separated from the
military and currently receiving Army Unemployment Compensation for
Ex-Service Members (UCX); and veterans of other service branches who
also are receiving military UCX.

State of Texas Soldier Employment Initiative
“Texas
veterans and service members have answered the call to serve our nation
in large numbers, and we owe them a debt of gratitude and service,”
said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Ronny Congleton. “The creation
of the State of Texas Soldier Employment Initiative will help give
veterans credit for their years of training and experience, and help
accelerate their reemployment to civilian careers.”

Texas was one
of four states chosen for this project due to its high population of
Army veterans and its history of active collaboration with DOL and the
Army to improve veterans’ access to employment. Georgia, Illinois and
North Carolina also were selected to participate in this project.

“TWC
is proud to be a partner in providing workforce opportunities for our
deserving heroes as they begin planning their transition into the
civilian workforce. Texas has many growing industries and our strong
economic performance creates excellent employment opportunities,” said
TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Hope Andrade.