Help for Texans Seeking Employment - Wentworth
Texas’ unemployment rate of 8.2 percent is lower than the United States’ rate of 9.5 percent, according to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). While the state has added a total of 168,000 jobs since January, that represents a net gain of right at 4,600 new jobs, as various public entities, such as school districts and community colleges, have cut payroll when confronted with shrinking budgets.
To help put Texans back to work, during last year’s legislative session the Legislature appropriated $15 million for the Texas Back to Work program, which provides financial incentives to help employers hire unemployed Texans. Texas Back to Work offers employers a wage subsidy of up to $2,000 for hiring qualified, out-of-work Texans.
Some employers may receive a portion of the employee’s wages for a set period of time. Helping employers with on-the-job training, retention bonuses and wage reimbursement will result in more opportunities for unemployed Texans.
Employers who are interested in the Texas Back to Work program should contact the local workforce development board in their area. These numbers may be found on the TWC Web site at http://www.twc.state.tx.us. Click on “Texas Back to Work” and then on “Local Contact Information.”
An older, and still much used, Web site of interest to employers and those seeking jobs is www.workintexas.com. This Web site, which is hosted by TWC, matches employers with job seekers.
Employers using the site may enter the specific skills they need to fill jobs.
A click of the mouse nets them names of the most promising candidates and their contact information. If a job applicant includes an email address, an employer may set up an immediate interview.
Job seekers may enter their skills and then run a custom job search. They also may select any job category and search through available jobs without submitting an online application.
The free job matching service is open to everyone -- from professionals desiring to advance their careers to the currently unemployed.
Job categories include scientific, technical, computer, professional, managerial, sales, clerical, service, agriculture, construction, transportation and others.
The Work in Texas Web site also includes links to other job search options and to support services, such as child care providers.
Texas employers and job seekers can cut the time they spend looking for each other by using Web sites created by TWC to help put Texans to work.
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