E-News: May 2019

Pictured in top photo (from left to right): Patrick McDowell, Board Member, Lano Economic Development Corporation; David Vaughn, Burnet City Manager and Board Member, Burnet Economic Development Corporation; Julian Alvarez, TWC Commissioner Representing Labor; Christian Fletcher, Executive Director, Marble Falls Economic Development Corporation; and Paul Fletcher, CEO of Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area. Not pictured: Gail Davalos.

WSRCA, Highlands Lakes EDC's Partner to Target High Demand Job Training with $52,500 Grant

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) awarded WSRCA in collaboration with Workforce Network, Inc., and the Marble Falls, Burnet, and Llano Economic Development Corporations (EDCs) a $52,500 High-Demand Job Training grant. The grant will benefit workers and employers in the Rural Capital Area by providing equipment and customized job training costs for up to 46 students to receive instruction at Central Texas College, for careers as plumbers, electricians, medical assistants, and bookkeepers.

This customized training is made possible by using the $52,500 HDJT grant from TWC and leverage funds of $52,500 from Marble Falls, Burnet, and Llano EDC’s, which make up the Highland Lakes EDC’s. 

Many thanks to TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez, Marble Falls EDC Executive Director Christian Fletcher, Burnet City Manager and EDC Board Member David Vaughn and City of Llano Mayor Gail Lang, who all spoke at the award presentation ceremony in Marble Falls.

Our wonderful community partnerships are just another reason why the Rural Capital Area of Texas is the best place in the country to live, work, and do business. 

More photos from the event may be viewed and downloaded at: bit.ly/WSRCAHDJTGrant0503

Review the WSRCA 2018 Annual Report WSRCA is proud to share our 2018 Annual Report, which outlines our Board’s collective vision, strategy, and achievements for the previous year, told primarily through spotlight testimonials from our customers throughout the 9-county Rural Capital Area region.  This publication goes beyond the data, to highlight how our teams are transforming lives every day by empowering our businesses, employers, and job seekers within our communities, by creating sustainable value to bolster their opportunities. View the report on our website.

Pictured (from left to right): WSRCA Board Member and Dean of Continuing Education at Austin Community College, Hector Aguilar, WSRCA CEO Paul Fletcher, and WSRCA Board Member and Green Group Holdings Director of Market Development & Community Relations, Alfonso Sifuentes, visit Utah Olympic Park during the inter-city tour, which hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics.

WSRCA Board Members Take Part in Inter-City Workforce Exploration Visit to Salt Lake City-Provo, Hosted by San Marcos Chamber

WSRCA Board Members and Staff joined our partners at the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce, as they led a group of Rural Capital Area business and community leaders on an Inter-City Visit to Salt Lake City-Provo, Utah, to explore best practices on how to move our region's workforce forward. Many thanks to our WSRCA CEO Paul Fletcher, and Board Members Adriana Cruz, Hector Aguilar and Alfonso Sifuentes, for taking part and helping to set the course for the future. 

Forums Held in Fayette, Williamson Counties to Enhance Workforce Development, Training Opportunities

Your WSRCA team held Workforce Forums in Fayette and Williamson counties in May, bringing together community, business and education leaders for collaborative discussions on improving local workforce development efforts and training opportunities. WSRCA has been holding forums in each of the nine counties that it represents throughout the Rural Capital Area of central Texas, with the goal of gaining greater insight into the current and future growth and development plans that each county is working towards. The information garnered from the discussions is added to WSRCA’s strategic plan, with the purpose of tailoring its workforce strategies and initiatives to support each county’s success.

We'd like to thank WSRCA Board Chair Frank Leonardis, and Board Members, Rene Flores and Andy Hapanowicz, for taking part and enhancing our collaborative discussions with workforce stakeholders.

Summer Teacher Externship Program Kickoff Events held in Round Rock, Georgetown to Connect the Classroom to Careers

Kickoff events for the 2019 Teacher Externship programs in Round Rock and Georgetown were held in May, and hosted by our partners at the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce and Round Rock ISD, as well as the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Georgetown ISD. WSRCA is proud to help offer unique professional learning opportunities for educators in the 9-county Rural Capital Area, in collaboration with workforce partners in business and industry, to enrich the classroom to career connections made for students. Visit our website to learn more about how teacher externships improve student employability and supports employers.

RSVP to Attend the Texas Business Conference, July 11-12, at Horseshoe Bay Resort

WSRCA is partnering with TWC to host the two-day Texas Business Conference at the Horseshoe Bay Resort on July 11-12, to help Rural Capital Area employers learn the relevant state and federal employment laws that are essential to efficiently managing their businesses and employees. TWC has assembled its best speakers to guide employers and to answer employment law questions regarding their operations. WSRCA CEO Paul Fletcher will be kicking off the two-day conference with one of the keynotes, and our Business Services Team will host a session to discuss workforce resources available within the 9-county region, to help local employers compete at a global level. Registrations are filling up fast—don't miss this great event. Visit TWC's website to RSVP and review the two-day event schedule.

Staffing Challenges? Our Business Services Unit Can Help

We understand that the success of your business is largely dependent on the ability to find qualified candidates to fill your staffing needs. Yet, the task of finding and maintaining employees with the right skills, training and education can be daunting. That's where we come in. Our WSRCA Business Services Unit (BSU) team assists employers just like you at every stage of your workforce needs:  
✅Recruiting, Interviewing & Hiring
✅Job Fairs
✅Job Postings on WorkInTexas.com
✅Customized Skills Training
✅Labor Market Information
✅Layoff Assistance
Visit www.workforcesolutionsrca.com to learn more.

KXAN News Profiles WSRCA Efforts to Empower Employers to Utilize Untapped Populations of Talented Workers

WSRCA partnered with KXAN News Reporter Alex Caprariello, to explore how we're empowering Rural Capital Area employers to utilize untapped populations of talented workers of all abilities, to maximize their operations. Caprariello talked with WSRCA CEO, Paul Fletcher, & Board Member, Elva Zdeb, of Embassy Suites San Marcos, on how the resort takes part in and recruits staff members from the SEAL program for students with disabilities, which provides work readiness training and paid work experience. Watch the story on KXAN. 

Looking for Help to Pay for Child Care Expenses?

Through federal, state and local funding, the WSRCA Child Care Services (CCS) team is able to provide financial aid for eligible families and provide professional development opportunities. The Texas Rising Star (TRS) child care providers that partner with us, voluntarily meet requirements that exceed the state’s minimum Child Care Licensing (CCL) standards. Your child deserves the best. Visit www.workforcesolutionsrca.com to learn more about the CCS program.

CCS Provider Spotlight: Little Miracles Christian Preschool

Your WSRCA CCS team would like to congratulate Little Miracles Christian Preschool of Round Rock on earning their certification as a Three-Star TRS Provider. 

"When we first heard about TRS, we really had no idea what it was," said owner/operators Ana and Jeremiah Vela. "We were using the provider room one day and a representative from Rural Capital Area came out to introduce herself and asked if we would be interested in learning about TRS...Well, after a long 10 months of dirty diapers and runny noses, Little Miracles is proud to announce we have completed the journey and we are now a TRS accredited provider. We were assigned a great mentor to guide and educate us along this journey. Thank you, Dorcas Carter, for all of your help these past 10 months. Little Miralces appreciates you more than you’ll ever know. We are so glad we decided to take that leap of faith last year. We have learned so much along the way and we can’t wait to see what the future holds."

TRS Providers such as Little Miracles Christian Preschool, share a commitment to exceed CCL standards for director and staff qualifications, caregiver-child interactions, age-appropriate curricula and activities, nutrition and indoor/outdoor activities, and parent involvement and education, and are in a better position to contribute to the early development of children. As providers progress through the levels of TRS provider certification, they contribute progressively more to the development of the children they serve on a daily basis. Visit the WSRCA website to learn more about the TRS program.

Connect with Veterans Services to Enhance Your Opportunities

Veterans, you've served your country—now let Texas serve you! Whether you want to know more about transitioning into a civilian career, job search assistance, educational resources such as the College Credit for Heroes program, or other veterans' training benefits, our Veterans Services Coordinators are here to help. Visit www.workforcesolutionsrca.com for more on the program.

WSRCA Helps Caldwell County Employers, Job Seekers Connect at Community Hiring Event

Your WSRCA team participated in the Caldwell County Community Job Fair, with our partners at the Lockhart Evening Lions Club. Thank you to all of the fantastic employers who took part to offer opportunities and empower careers, and the volunteers who helped make this event possible.

Learn More About Your WSRCA Team in New Spotlight Campaign

At WSRCA we have a unique and collaborative team comprised of some of the best and brightest in the workforce services industry. These talented professionals work tirelessly to support our 9-county Rural Capital Area businesses, employers, and job-seekers as they enhance their communities. We are grateful for their intention and fortunate to call them our colleagues, and are honored to unveil a new awareness campaign to highlight their unique drive to serve others. The "We Are Rural Capital Area" Team Spotlight aims to celebrate our amazing team and help our partners and customers learn a little more about the people dedicated to creating opportunities where Business and Careers Meet. Please help by sharing the social media posts to spread the word, and letting our teammates know how much you appreciate them. 

Attend a Career Development Workshop to Boost Job Search Success

UpSkill your career! Attend a WSRCA workshop to create new workforce opportunities. Here are just some of the workshops that are available each month: 
✅Effective Job Search Strategies
✅How to Have an A+ Interview
✅How to Create an Effective Resume
✅Find Your Path: Career Exploration
✅Managing Money While Unemployed
✅Networking for Job Search Success
✅Overcoming Background Check Concerns
✅So What if You’re Over 40!
Visit the events calendar on www.workforcesolutionsrca.com to find a training workshop near you.

Pictured (top left to right): WSRCA Talent Development Specialist Patsy Shirocky, Mireya Sandoval, Kiley Reisner, Alex Martinez, Brandie Williams, Keidra Meredith & Judith Nwibo.

WSRCA Talent Development Team Celebrates with Program Graduates as they Complete Training, Achieve their Career Dreams

Congratulations to our latest WSRCA Talent Development program graduates for completing their Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) training at Temple College, and entering the high-demand healthcare industry. Most of the graduates already have LVN jobs waiting for them. We're honored to serve and support talented young professionals throughout our 9-county region, and eager to help you UpSkill your career and connect with new opportunities. Get started by exploring our resources and contacting our team: www.workforcesolutionsrca.com

Pictured: Stephanie Mora and John Garcia presenting workforce topics to summer program students at the Georgetown Palace Theatre.

WSRCA Hosts Workshop for Summer Theater Students to Explore Best Practices in Workplace Culture

Team members with the WSRCA Youth Services Program were invited to speak with students attending the wonderful summer program at The Georgetown Palace Theatre. Our Youth Talent Development Specialists, Stephanie Mora and John Garcia, discussed:
🎯Workplace Cultural Transitions
🎯Workplace Ethics & Professionalism
🎯Social Media Etiquette 
🎯Sexual Harassment Prevention
Looking to host your own workshop? Contact our team—we're glad to help: workforcesolutionsrca.com

Steer Clear of Student Debt; Training Available for High-Demand Skilled Trade Jobs 

Still think you need an advanced degree and a mountain of student debt to lock into a high-demand occupation? There’s no better time to pursue a hands-on career in the skilled trades to enhance your opportunities in a short amount of time. Our Talent Development Team has immediate solutions for you with our training partners throughout the Rural Capital Area: workforcesolutionsrca.com

WSRCA Youth Talent Development Team Helps Bastrop County Students Explore Career Opportunities in Giddings, Smithville

The WSRCA Youth Services Program is proud to have taken part in Youth Career Day events in Giddings and Smithville, to help connect students with Bastrop County businesses and employers for career exploration. Thank you to the fantastic group of volunteers that all coordinated to make this outstanding event possible. Hosting a career or hiring event? We can help: workforcesolutionsrca.com

Rural Capital Area Unemployment Falls to 2.4% in April

The economy of the Rural Capital Area of Texas experienced another month of positive employment growth in April 2019, with 1,776 jobs added, according to figures released by TWC. The unemployment rate in the nine-county workforce development area dropped from 2.9 percent in March, down to 2.4 percent in April. The 2.4 percent unemployment rate represented 13,051 residents seeking employment. The region’s unemployment rate remained below both the Texas (3.0 percent)* and national (3.3 percent)* rates.

The Rural Capital Area’s 1.97 percent annual employment growth rate represented the addition of 10,222 jobs since April 2018.

Employment estimates released by TWC are produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. All estimates are subject to revision. To access this and more employment data, visit texaslmi.com.

*Unemployment rates listed are not seasonally adjusted.