The Texas A&M University System
7th Annual Military Friendly
Symposium
“Evolution, Adaptation”
Texas A&M University System
7th Annual Military Friendly Symposium
Texas Workforce Commission
 The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) oversees a service delivery system
comprised of 28 Local Workforce Development Boards (Boards) who
administer services in over 190 Texas Workforce Solutions Offices across the
state. TWC provides employment assistance and education and training to
individuals who are seeking employment. Although services are available
to the general public, TWC has specific statutory direction to provide
priority of service to veterans. This priority of service requirement is laid
out in both federal and state law.
 Numbers of Veterans Served
 119,601 veterans and other eligible persons were served in State Fiscal Year 2014
by the Texas Workforce System
 58,659 of those were served by TVC’s employment representatives
Texas A&M University System
7th Annual Military Friendly Symposium
Texas Workforce Commission
WorkInTexas.com
WorkInTexas.com is the state labor exchange/job matching system
implemented by TWC in June 2004. Prior to its inception, approximately
7% of all Texas employers were engaged with the workforce system. Since
its inception and to date, over half of all Texas employers are registered
with the system, with about 25% actively receiving services at any given
time.
WorkInTexas.com provides a few special features to/for veterans and
employers, including:
• A Two-Day hold on all newly created job postings – these jobs are available only
to veterans the first 2 days they are available to ensure veterans get first review.
• The ability for employers to designate their jobs for Veteran Applicants Only.
• The ability for state agencies to look up Veteran State Applications for Direct
Hires in accordance with SB 805.
• Notice to all veteran job seekers upon registration with WorkInTexas.com that
they are entitled to priority of service.
• Icons to identify veteran job seekers to employers.
Texas A&M University System
7th Annual Military Friendly Symposium
Texas Veterans
Leadership Program
 The Texas Veterans Leadership Program is a Texas Workforce Commission
resource and referral network connecting returning veterans of Iraq and
Afghanistan with the resources and tools they need to lead productive lives
and enjoy the full benefits of the society they have willingly served.
 One Veterans Resource and Referral Specialist is assigned to each of
the 28 workforce development areas, to work closely with Workforce
Solutions office staff and Texas Veterans Commission staff who are
co-located in Workforce Solutions offices. All 21 Veterans Resource
and Referral Specialists are veterans of Iraq and/or Afghanistan. This
network of returning veterans plays an integral role in addressing the
needs of other returning veterans, including employment, training,
medical, educational, and other needs.
Texas A&M University System
7th Annual Military Friendly Symposium
Texas Veterans
Leadership Program
 Since July 1st, 2008, the TVLP has
contacted 20,424 and have
provided assistance to 16,908
Veterans who have fought in Iraq
and Afghanistan.
 The State of Texas Soldier
Employment Initiative has
outreached over 24,560 Soldiers
and Army veterans and we have
seen the number of weeks they
draw UCX/UI drop from 24.6 to 15.8
Texas A&M University System
7th Annual Military Friendly Symposium
College Credit for Heroes
 The College Credit for Heroes (CC4H) program began through legislation in 2011
(82nd Legislature, SB1736) that called for the Texas Workforce Commission
(TWC) to develop methods for maximizing the number of college credits awarded
to veterans and service members for their military experience.
In the last 4 years, TWC has piloted the CC4H program by focusing on 3 areas for
maximizing the amount of credits awarded.
1. Online Web Portal: Veterans and service members can receive an official
evaluation of credit at www.collegecreditforheroes.org
 As of April 1, 2015, the website has received over 89,000 visits and more
than 10,000 requests for evaluations.
 An average award of 25 credit hours is recommended per CC4H evaluation.
 Texas Colleges and Universities are awarding an average of 16 credit hours
per CC4H evaluation.
•
Texas A&M University System
7th Annual Military Friendly Symposium
College Credit for Heroes
 Network of CC4H Partner Schools: Since the award of academic credit is contingent
upon approval of the receiving Texas College or university, increasing awareness and
encouraging participation is imperative.
 Schools sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to review CC4H evaluations and make a
commitment to award as many credits as possible and as applicable.
 To date, the number of CC4H partner institutions has grown from 7 to 37.
 Acceleration Curricula: Twelve Texas colleges and universities have completed 13
accelerated curricula development projects resulting in 76 individual accelerated
curricula.
 Fields include: EMT, Surgical Technology, Respiratory Therapy, Health Information
Technology, Nursing, Cyber Security, Information Technology, Fire Fighting, Advanced
Manufacturing, Logistics, Wind Engineering and Oil Field Technology.
 Five more schools are currently developing 11 new acceleration curricula and one school is
replicating previously developed curricula as part of CC4H phase III.
 Well-qualified veterans can be awarded up to 59% of the total credit hours required
through these accelerated curricula programs.
 More than $658,000,000 in federal educational aid could be averted annually using College
Credit for Heroes recommendations as a statewide model.
Texas A&M University System
7th Annual Military Friendly Symposium
State of Texas Soldier Employment Initiative
Texas A&M University System
7th Annual Military Friendly Symposium
Texas Skills to Work
https://texasskillstowork.com/
Texas A&M University System
7th Annual Military Friendly Symposium
Veterans & Industry
Partnership Initiative (VIP)
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is proud to
announce the Veteran and Industry Partnership (VIP)
program, a new initiative designed to help veterans
get the advanced training needed for specific
occupations in the expanding
information technology, advanced manufacturing
and petrochemical industries in regions of the
state where these jobs are in high demand.
Texas A&M University System
7th Annual Military Friendly Symposium
Petrochemical
 Community Colleges participating in the Petrochemical Field are Alvin
Community, Del Mar College, Lee College, Lone Star College, Houston
Community College, San Jacinto College and Victoria College.
 Targeted Occupational Training Programs in the Petrochemical Industry
 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
 Electricians
 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
 Occupations are a great fit for combat arms, mechanical, machinists and
technical Military Occupational Specialties.
Texas A&M University System
7th Annual Military Friendly Symposium
Advanced Manufacturing
 Community Colleges participating in the Advanced Manufacturing Field
are Alamo Colleges, Collin College, Dallas County Community College,
Navarro College, North Central Texas College and Tarrant County College.
 Targeted Occupational Training Programs in the Advanced Manufacturing
Industry
 Industrial Machinery Mechanics
 Team Assemblers
 Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal/Plastic
 Machinists
 Engineering Technicians, except drafters
 Occupations are a great fit for combat arms, mechanical, machinists,
avionics, and technical Military Occupational Specialties.
Texas A&M University System
7th Annual Military Friendly Symposium
Information Technology
 Community Colleges participating in the Information Technology Field are
Austin Community College, Central Texas College, El Paso Community College,
and Temple College Contact.
 Targeted Occupational Training Programs in the Information Technology
Industry
 Information Security Analysts
 Web Developers
 Network & Computer System Administrator
 Computer Network Architects
 Occupations are a great fit for information systems technicians , cable
installers, network system operators and a signal support specialist Military
Occupational Specialties.
Texas A&M University System
7th Annual Military Friendly Symposium
Hiring Red, White, & You State
Wide Job Fair
The Texas Workforce Commission is proud to announce the
fourth annual Hiring Red, White and You! (HRWY) statewide
job fair to take place on November 12, 2015.
 In cooperation with 28 Workforce Solutions partners, the
Hiring Red, White and You! Job Fair connects Texas veterans
and their spouses with Texas employers who value the
experience, discipline and other exceptional qualities
inherent with a military background.
In the first 3 years, HRWY has connected more than 31,000
veterans with over 4,700 employers.
Texas A&M University System
7th Annual Military Friendly Symposium
Teamwork