|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Greetings! |
School's out for the SUMMER! Congratulations to all of our recent graduates, teachers, and administrators on another successful school year.
Since we last met, there has been a lot of work and conversations around helping all residents get an education, the importance of early learning and better alignment with education, economic development, and workforce.
At this month's Board Meeting we will touch on the launch of our community collaboration portal, the recent success of our young adult program, and the upcoming Business Forums and Job Fairs we have planned over the next few months.
To be better informed on the challenges our community faces which will assist with our strategies for those who need us most, Pat Cheong, Vice President, Community Development for the United Way of Tarrant County, will be briefing the board on the recent Tarrant County Community Assessment.
- Judy McDonald
Executive Director
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Governor's Tri-Agency Workforce Initiative
|
As part of Gov. Greg Abbott's Tri-Agency Workforce Initiative, Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Andres Alcantar, Commissioner of Education Mike Morath and Commissioner of Higher Education Raymund Paredes hosted a regional workforce and education forum with local business and education leaders from the North Central Texas area on Wednesday, May 11, 2016.
Gov. Abbott established the initiative earlier this year to assess local economic activity, examine workforce challenges and opportunities, and consider innovative approaches to meeting the state's workforce goals. The three agency leaders, along with Texas Workforce Commissioners Ruth Hughs and Julian Alvarez, hosted regional workforce and education forums statewide.
Gov. Abbott has asked the commissioners to make recommendations later this year that enhance the skills of the Texas workforce and advance economic expansion in every region of the state while strengthening K-12 and postsecondary education to ensure achievement of the goals of 60x30TX, the state's new strategic plan for higher education.
Thank you to board members: Keith Muskrat, Jon Gustafson, and Dr. Marcelo Cavazos for joining Judy McDonald at this important event.
Chairman Andres Alcantar Visit to Fort Worth
On June 1, 2016 Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Andres Alcantar visited with more representatives from the area in conjunction with a speaking engagement he had in Fort Worth. The group continued the discussion on Workforce and Education that was had at the Tri-Agency Workforce Initiative Meeting in May. Local business, Economic Development and Education leaders joined Chairman Alcantar for this important discussion. Chairman Alcantar said the results would be shared with the Governor's office and a summit is planned for September 19, 2016 in Austin.
|
|
DARS Regional Staff Meeting
|
Larry Temple, Executive Director of Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and Reagan Miller, Workforce Director for TWC and other representatives TWC met with DARS Management Staff, the Tarrant, North Texas and North Central Workforce Boards and DARS Staff from Fort Worth, Arlington, Waxahachie, Carrollton, Cleburne, Stephenville, Weatherford, Denton, Lewisville, McKinney, Plano, Corsicana, Greensville.
The meeting took place in Fort Worth on April 15, 2016. Larry Temple welcomed everyone and introduced representatives from DARS and local workforce boards. The group discussed the DARS transition to TWC. As you might remember in late 2015 the Sunset Bill passed, and the state will be transferring the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) services to TWC. Effective September 1, 2016, the following programs will transfer to TWC:
- General Vocational Rehabilitation
- Blind Vocational Rehabilitation
- Business Enterprises of Texas (BET)
- Independent Living Services (ILS) Older Blind
- The Rehabilitation Council of Texas (RCT)
Mr. Temple reported that they had conducted a series of meetings across the state, shared the common questions and issues with the group. He encouraged the audience to ask questions and voice issues and ideas. There was a good response and positive discussion.
TWC Executive Director Larry Temple
Board Member, Deb Jones,
Business Relations Program Specialist
with DARS
|
|
Board Members in the News
|
We are proud of all the wonderful ways our Board Members are making Tarrant County a better place to Live, Work and Play.
Board Member, Gracie Vega was featured in a recent issue of Society Life Magazine. The Magazine was celebrating Women in Business. The article can be found in this month's handouts section.
Congratulations to Board Member Buddy Puente and his wife Alice. Recently the YMCA dedicated The Alice and Buddy Puente Pavilion at Camp Carter. The Puente's have been a long standing advocate for the YMCA. Congratulations!
Congratulations to Board Member Tim McKinney who was named the 2016 Top Nonprofit CEO by the Fort Worth Business Press.
|
|
Business Forums
|
To enhance the economic vitality of our community, Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County is hosting a series of Business Forums with Small Business Owners and Economic Development organizations to discuss and strategize resolutions to some common business challenges. The Forum's focus is on funding for employee training, identifying needed industry credentials, and business and workforce center services available through our workforce centers. In addition, Workforce Solutions needs your feedback and ideas to assist in the development of future workforce and talent pools.
Thank you to our Business Forum Hosts:
- Alliance - Tom Harris - July 28, 2016
- Mid-Cities - Gracie Vega - August 25, 2016
- Northside - Rosa Navejar - September 8, 2016
- Eastside - Etsrus Tucker - September 22, 2016
- Resource Connection - Leslie Scott - October 20, 2016
For more information please visit the calendar of events on our website.
|
|
Turning the BIG 40!
|
You may not be aware but this month, Executive Director, Judy McDonald is celebrating the BIG 40! Please join us in congratulating Judy on 40 years of excellence in Workforce. She was dropped off on the door step of the Tarrant County Courthouse 40 years ago and has not looked back.
Congratulations to our fearless leader on all the innovative and groundbreaking initiatives you have been a part of that helped make Tarrant County so great!
Congrats Judy Mc!
|
|
New Tagline Unveiled
|
April 28, 2016 was the big unveiling of DYT. With the help of National Consultant, Greg Newton, Board Chair Keith Muskrat and the Workforce Leadership our Workforce Center staff was introduced to DYT. What is DYT you ask? Keep reading to find out how we used this acronym to keep the staff in suspense until we unveiled our new tagline!
The DYT meetings were geared at our Workforce Center Staff, celebrating their success, thanking them for all they do to help citizens of Tarrant County, sharing information on "Capturing WIOA Opportunities to Serve Customers Even Better." We rounded out the meeting by officially ringing in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) while saying farewell to WIA.
OK, ready to learn what DYT means? We are very excited for what the future will hold, a new law, new opportunities and a new tagline, the possibilities are endless.
- Before our charge was to Keep Tarrant County Working! Well the unemployment numbers don't lie, we have a lower unemployment rate now than we have seen in years.
- This is an inspiring time - our economy is changing and with that we decided that our focus also needed to be changed, I would like to introduce to you our new tagline: Discover Your Talent.
- Every day we help Employers Discover New Talent, we help job seekers Discover New Talent, we ourselves Discover New Talent. You have been doing it all along! We are just making it official.
- We believe this new tagline embodies the Joe Biden Job-Driven Checklist. We are excited to Discover Your Talent!
The Board applauds our contractor C2 Global and their contentious improvement efforts to ensure quality service delivery. The organization is investing in a transformation of customer flow, enhancement of services for both job seekers and employers.
|
|
Job Fair Update
|
Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County is involved in many job fairs throughout Tarrant County on a monthly basis. All job fairs that we take part in can be found on our website under the calendar of events. In addition to Job Fairs we host Hiring Events at our Workforce Centers. All of the upcoming hiring events, including more information can also be found on our website calendar. Also be sure to check out our Flickr account (link is on the website) so you can view the Hiring Event Notices on the go! Below are some of the job fairs we recently participated in or have coming up:
- Tarrant County College (TCC) Districtwide Job Fair was held on April 21, 2016 at the Trinity River Campus. Workforce Solutions was a proud Platinum Sponsor at this event. It was a great event and we are looking forward to partnering with TCC in the future on other job fairs.
- The Alliance Texas Hiring Fair was held on April 20, 2016 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. It was a GREAT event. Over 40 employers met with over 775 job seekers.
- Cinco De Mayo Job Fair was held on May 5, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at our Northside Workforce Center. The collaboration with community partner's and employers was a great success. The Job Fair served over 620 job seekers and 45 employers. Congressman Marc Veasey joined Executive Director Judy McDonald in support of the event.
- Young Adult Career Exploration and Hiring Event was held on May 12, 2016 at the Eastside Workforce Center. This was a special job fair which featured employers who are providing internships for our young adults. Over 20 organizations attended with multiple opportunities available at each organization. We had a great turn out at the event, we worked with K104 on special PSA's to promote the hiring event as well as we maximized all of our social media outlets to reach out to this special age group. More pictures and information will be given as part of this month's briefing. Below we have provided some additional statistics for the event:
- Number of attendees: 188
- Number enrolled in WIOA Program: 78
- Number started internship (May 23, 2016 and after): 27
- Young Adults transitioning in to Internship Opportunities: 51
- Direct Hire: 1 (see picture below)
- Noteworthy Employers (Non-Profit & Profit):
- Non-profit: Goodwill with 6 placements and 3 pending to be interviewed
- Private: Hilton-Arlington with 5 placements and all have the possibility of FT employment in their current department or in other departments.
 
-
SAVE THE DATE (more information about each event including registration information can be found on our website):
- Fort Worth ISD Hiring Fair (for FWISD Students and Alumni) - Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at Will Rogers Memorial Center - Workforce Solutions is a proud sponsor.
- South Fort Worth Job Fair - Thursday, August 18, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at American Legion Hall Post 838.
- 5th Annual Mansfield Area Job Fair - Wednesday, July 6, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Mansfield ISD Center for the Preforming Arts.
- ArlingtonAnswers.com Fall Job Fair - Thursday, October 6, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Church on Rush Creek.
- 5th Annual Hiring Red, White and You! Job Fair - Thursday, November 10, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Globe Life Park in Arlington
|
|
Want to help change the future of our Young Adults?
|
We are inviting you to partner with Workforce Solutions on our Young Adult initiative. If you are, or know of, an employer willing to open a door for a young adult, we are looking for businesses who can provide one or more of the following:
- Internship opportunities (wages paid by Workforce Solutions)
- On-the-job training opportunities (partial wage reimbursement to defray the cost of training)
- Tours (allowing a group of young adults to tour the facility and providing a brief orientation to your industry/business)
If interested, please contact our Business Solutions Manager, Janie Sanchez at
(817) 528-9020 or email her at: info@workforcesolutions.net
|
|
Blue Zones
|
We are happy to announce that as of Friday, June 3, 2016, Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County has achieve Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite status - a national recognition for employers that implement best practices that create healthier work environments for employees. Congratulations to our wellness team for making this a reality for Workforce Solutions. We are proud of this distinction. Workforce Solutions will be joining the Blue Zones Project team at the Fort Worth City Council meeting at Fort Worth City Hall at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 28th, 2016. At the beginning of the meeting, the Council will recognize the accomplishments of the Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County and more than a dozen restaurants, worksites, and organizations that have become Blue Zones Project Approved. Our Workforce Wellness team will also be working on scheduling a celebration for the office!
As part of Workforce Solutions' journey to maintain a healthy worksite, our Workforce Wellness committee organized a walking MOAIS that meets every Wednesday at 11:30. MOAIS' are small social groups that meet regularly regarding a particular activity, event, or purpose. We chose to focus our MOAIS on the act of walking. Staff who would like to participate gather in the lobby on Wednesday's at 11:30 and take a 30-minute walk together around the building and up to the top of the parking garage. By joining our Workforce MOAIS, staff are encouraged to adopt healthy behaviors and socialize with co-workers. MOAIS' help contribute to an individual's sense of purpose, which research has shown can have positive effects on overall health and well-being.
Below is a recipe brought to you by Workforce Wellness Committee Member Rikki McDonald.
Raw Vegan Tacos
Taco Filling:
- 1 cup raw walnuts
- 1 tablespoon unrefined olive oil
- 1 tablespoon coconut aminos
- ¼ cup sundried tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch of sea salt
Other:
- Shredded purple cabbage
- Grated carrot
- 2 tablespoons avocado
- 1 tablespoon salsa
- Raw coconut wrap or green leaf lettuce
Instructions: In a food processor, pulse walnuts, olive oil, and coconut aminos adding in sundried tomatoes, nutritional yeast, garlic powder and salt until the filling takes on a crumbly texture. Do not pulse for too long or it will become too smooth and buttery. Set aside.
Finely chop/shred/grate purple cabbage and carrot to place alongside the taco filling.
Take either a raw coconut wrap or a piece of green leaf lettuce (or one of each as is pictured) and place the taco filling inside, along with the shredded veggies. Finally, add avocado and salsa.
|
|
Stay up-to-date with your favorite Workforce Board
|
SOCIAL MEDIA PUSH: Workforce Solutions has so many great ways to connect both job seekers and employers to our services. Check us out on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube and Flickr. You will find direct links to all of our social media pages at the top of our home page on our website. I encourage all of you to "Like" or "Follow" these pages and suggest them to others!
Workforce Boards and Professionals are using a new hashtag (#) when speaking about the wonderful work we are doing around the country. Tarrant County is joining in the movement of using #weareworkforce, we hope you will join us as well.
TEXT MESSAGING: At the end of January we launched text message alerts. You can sign up to receive the latest information on our Job Fairs, Hiring Events and even receive HOT JOBS. A flyer can be found in this month's Items of Interest packet. The information can also be found on our website and on social media.
If you are a customer, make sure to ask your counselor about getting text alert reminders for appointments, to turn in documents, etc....
 |
|
Someone has a BIG Birthday Coming Up!
| |
Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County will celebrate its 20TH ANNIVERSARY this year! Judy McDonald will also celebrate 20 years with the board! August 9, 2016 will mark our 20-year anniversary as a Workforce Board! During the month of August be on the lookout for special celebrations and lots of throwback photos!
|
| Calendar of Events | |
Board and Committee Meetings:
(for the latest information please make sure to check our website calendar)
June
- June 8, 2016 - Workforce Development Board Meeting - 9:00 a.m. - Lena Pope
- June 14,2016 - 134th Fort Worth Chamber Annual Meeting - Omni Fort Worth
- June 16, 2016 - IAWG Meeting - 9:00 a.m. - Goodwill
July
- No Board Meetings in the month of July
- July 4, 2016 - Board Offices and Workforce Centers Closed in observance of July 4th holiday
- July 20, 2016 - Workforce Improvement Committee Meeting - 3:30 p.m. Board Offices
- July 28, 2016 - Workforce Delivery Systems Committee Meeting - 11:15 a.m. Board Office
Upcoming Job Fairs we are sponsoring / hosting:
- FWISD Hiring Event - June 9, 2016 - 10:00 a.m. at Will Rogers
- Mansfield Area Job Fair - July 6, 2016 - 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Mansfield ISD Center for the Performing Arts
- South Fort Worth Job Fair - August 18, 2016 - 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. American Legion Hall
- ArlingtonAnswers.com Fall Job Fair - October 6, 2016 - 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Church on Rush Creek
- 5th Annual Red, White & You! Job Fair - November 10, 2016 - 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. - Globe Life Park
New events are being added all the time!
|
| Pictures | |
DFW Regional Aerospace Consortium Chair Tom Harris, Judy McDonald and Renee Parker met with the President of Airbus Helicopters, Chris Emerson in an effort to engage Aerospace Executives to the consortium. Meetings have taken place with Executives from Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, GCD Technics. Still on the schedule is a meeting with Elbit Systems of America.
Our staff are enthusiastic about our new tagline!
One half of our center staff at the DYT Meeting in April at Region 11.
They had a packed house at the Cinco de Mayo Job Fair at the Northside Workforce Center.
Judy McDonald joined in on the fun!
Little did this gentleman know that he would be one of the prize winners at the Young Adult Career Exploration event.
Young Adults met with employers who had open internships available at the Career Exploration and Hiring Event on May 12th.
Business Services Manager, Renee Parker at the 2015-2016 Leadership Grapevine Graduation. We are proud to report that Renee not only graduated but was named the class valedictorian. Congratulations Renee!
|
|
More information about our events, services, programs and Workforce Center locations is available on our website.
An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available, upon request, to individuals with disabilities. (TDD/TTY) 1-800-RELAYTX
|
|
|
|
|
|
