One of our promises to Texas and American veterans is to continue to provide veterans assistance outside of Veterans Day. That’s why we host an annual state-wide Texas hiring fair specifically for veterans; Hiring Red, White, and You is a massive yearly job fair that has more than 30 fairs happening in 30 locations on the same day! 14,420 businesses look to hire vets at Hiring Red, White, and You (HRWY), and 84,153 people like you have gotten jobs through our biggest job fair of the year. In fact, we’ve had veteran-friendly business hire 2,027 people on the spot! Yes, this includes disabled veterans!
So, how do you increase your chances of getting hired on the spot? Check out these resume writing tips that are catered specifically to military service members! Here are six step-by-step tips for writing great resumes.
6 Resume Writing Tips for Military Veterans
Resume Tip #1: Create your resume writing compass
Now that you’re leaving military service, the very first step in making a successful career transition is to discover what you want to be and craft the perfect resume for the job you want.
Learn who you are by writing down your interests, goals, and objectives. This is your compass.
Use your compass to help you determine the type of job, position, and company you want to apply for.
Find job descriptions and postings that match your compass.
Use these exact descriptions to help you explain how your military experiences relate to the job you want on your resume.
Knowing that you’re leaving the military is not enough; you must know what you want to do in order to write a great resume. So, you should consider:
Who you are: These are your military accomplishments
How you want to be perceived: Do you want to be seen as a fleet manager or mechanic? A combat medic or a medical technician? What have you done in the military for all these years and how do they translate into civilian speak?
Remember, you’re selling your best military traits to a civilian. Using your compass will help you write about traits that are relevant to the job; you can now write a resume in a way that civilians can understand.
Resume tip #2: Make your good resume stand out: Sell it; don’t tell it
You are the product, and you must sell yourself. We recommend the “sell it to me… don’t tell it to me” strategy.
If you “tell it,” you are just stating facts, and that can look boring to a hiring manager. If you “sell it,” you draw more attention to it and make your resume stand out above the others.
When you talk about your military experiences, sell your best successes! The impact is incredible:
DO NOT use the “tell it” Strategy: Managed inventory of equipment during 9-month overseas deployment.
DO use the “sell it” Strategy: Directed a team of 29 electricians, machinists, and mechanics and maintained more than $30 million in equipment throughout an arduous 9-month overseas deployment. Achieved/maintained 100% inventory accuracy.
Resume tip #3: Use keywords from the job description in your resume
An easy way to make your military skills and experiences stand out to an employer is to match their language. When writing a resume, you may wonder if you should tailor your resume to a specific job position. The answer is yes.
Using keywords and phrases directly from the job description makes it easy to determine which of your skills to put on a resume. It also lets your hiring manager know that you’re a perfect fit and that you pay attention to detail. The following paragraphs list a few examples relevant to different career areas.
Keywords for operations management: production planning and scheduling, materials management, inventory control, quality, process engineering, robotics, systems automation, integrated logistics, product specifications, project management.
Keywords for training: needs assessment, instructional programming, training program design, testing and evaluation, public speaking, instructional materials design, seminar planning.
For you, these can be found by reading the job description thoroughly. Be sure to use the words you read when you describe your work experience and work skills.
Resume tip #4: Focus on big wins and new projects
When deciding what you want to include in your resume, try to focus on the “big” wins such as:
new programs
special projects
cost savings
productivity and efficiency improvements
technology implementation
staff/team performance
These are accomplishments that every company wants to introduce. Be sure to give a good, broad-based picture of what you were responsible for and how well you did it.
Example: Supervised daily airfield and maintenance shop operations at a large facility in Northern Italy. Managed a team of 89 personnel and an annual operating budget of $3.5 million for supplies and materials. Consistently achieved/surpassed all productivity, efficiency, readiness, and personnel objectives.
Resume tip #5: Make sure your resume creates a positive interview
As a veteran, especially a combat veteran, you want to be sure you write your resume in a positive way.
Don’t devote lots attention to areas of your background ground that are irrelevant or less than positive; you’ll only invite questions about things you don’t want to discuss.
Write your resume to focus on the skills that will be needed in their new profession, not necessarily on skills they acquired in past positions.
After the employer has determined that you meet the primary qualifications for a position (you’ve passed the keyword scanning test or initial review), your resume becomes all-important important in leading and prompting your interviewer during your conversation.
Resume tip #6: Visually highlight your accomplishments with consistent structure
Keep in mind that your resume will be skimmed by hiring managers. Even though you’ve spent hours creating your resume, it will ultimately be read quickly for bold phrases that stand out. Try to make it as easy as possible for readers to grasp the essential facts.
Put job titles, company/organization names, and dates in the same place for each position.
Make job titles bold.
Make information easy to find by clearly defining different sections of your resume with large, highly visible headings.
Now that you’re ready for our next HRWY event or your next job application, check out our other Texas Veterans benefits:
When you’re transitioning out of your active duty military role and into civilian life, we know that becoming a veteran can be scary, uncertain territory. You may be wondering, “Can I have a regular job after leaving the military?” “How hard is it to find a job after the military?” or “How can returning Veterans get jobs?”
The good news is that the Texas Workforce Commission has created an incredible program called “Texas Operation: Welcome Home”. This program exists to provide you with everything you need to successfully transition into civilian life.
Veterans, like yourself, can get help with every aspect of leaving the military. We can help convert your military experience into real work experience, connect you with civilian employers and companies that hire Veterans, assist with resume writing, and so much more. If you’re already interested in connecting with a veteran who can help, email blair.mosely@twc.state.tx.us. If you’re a self-starter, read on!
5 Things Texas Military Veterans should Do when looking for a Civilian Job
1. Follow these social media pages for Veteran-only tips
Social media (Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn) is the best place to find the most recent information from the best sources! These pages often post links to job fairs, military news, civilian life tips, and more! Check out and follow:
What civilian careers are a good fit for Veterans?
How do you convert your army, navy, coastal guard, or air force training into the bachelor’s degree you need to start your job? You know you have deep experience in your military field, but how do you get civilian businesses to recognize your accomplishments? How do you convert your experience to fit the requirements of a job description?
3. Use these key tips for a military to civilian resume
How do you align your military career with civilian credentials? Resume writing can feel tricky, but we can help.
Include a cover letter. Make sure you have a cover letter that is customized for each employer that you plan to apply with. This should be a heart-felt letter that describes why you are excited to be a great fit for the job. Also, include an example of an experience that helps you connect with this job. Be sure to show how this experience makes you well adjusted and perfect for the position you’re applying for!
Include your contact information, plus an email address. Providing your email address shows that you’ve adjusted to civilian systems and communication styles.
Include every promotion. Your promotions are similar to civilian promotions and job changes! Be sure to show off how long you held these positions, and be sure to spell out what you accomplished and what you were responsible for in each rank.
Include education from before and during your military service. Some employers can understand how your experience translates to a degree, so be sure to include any formal training you took part in!
Don’t use military lingo or acronyms. Remember, you may have to explain your experience in a way that makes sense to someone outside of the military; pretend you’re talking to your teenage self.
4. Attend Texas’ largest Veteran job fair
Each November, 31 locations around Texas host a job fair on one single date that includes 2,100+ Veteran employers who are looking to hire you! Since we’ve started this annual event, businesses have hired over 2,027 Veterans on the spot, and a total of 84,153 Veterans and spouses.
This is your biggest chance of connecting with the best companies that work with and for ex-military service members! Be sure to bring your resume and dress for success!
We know how difficult it can be for Texans to find jobs; we also know that it can be much more difficult for veterans to find jobs. That’s why we’ve created the statewide annual veteran job fair Hiring Red, White, and You! Each year in November, over thirty locations around the Texas area host a hiring event for the 967,000 war veterans who are either actively working or looking for jobs.
How can vets find jobs when it’s not November? How can returning veterans get jobs during any time in the year? Easy. The Texas Workforce Commission has compiled a list of employers who hire veterans. These employers offer jobs for veterans and care about the mental health and wellbeing of our nation’s heroes. Many of these veteran-friendly employers make it possible for transitioning and transitioned service members to obtain and maintain home loans, health care, and long-term employment!
So job seekers, what businesses employ and train retired members of the armed forces, air force, and more? Check out our list below. We’ve provided links where applicable to make applying easy!
PHOTO: Workforce Solutions of Central Texas COO Ken Cox, TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Ruth R. Hughs, and Central Texas Workforce Development Board Executive Director Susan Kamas, at the Killeen “We Hire Vets” event.
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and Workforce Solutions of Central Texas honored 31 area employers for their commitment to hiring veterans during a recent “We Hire Vets” recognition ceremony.
The event was held at Workforce Solutions of Central Texas Killeen on May 25.
Launched in 2017, “We Hire Vets” is an employer recognition program developed by TWC in partnership with the Texas Veterans Commission and Texas Workforce Solutions Offices, to recognize Texas employers for their efforts in hiring our nation’s heroes. Employers whose workforce is comprised of at least 10 percent military veterans are eligible to receive a “We Hire Vets” employer recognition decal to display on their storefront, as well as an electronic decal to display on the employer’s website.
Among the many employers recognized at the event was McLane Southwest, one of the largest supply chain services leaders in the country, maintaining one of the nation’s most expansive private fleets.
“At McLane Southwest, we feel it is a value to pursue and hire our veterans of this great country. In fact, 14.7 percent of McLane Southwest’s workforce is comprised of veterans,” said Gary Johnson, McLane Southwest Division President of Grocery Supply Chain Solutions. “These individuals come from a previous background where a culture of accomplishment and teamwork are second nature. Many of them possess some form of leadership training and capability, and they take their assigned responsibilities very seriously. Our veterans are not afraid of hard work, and given the right opportunity and support, they become some of the most valuable assets to our organization.”
McLane’s commitment to veterans led the company to launch a Registered Driver Apprenticeship program featuring a veteran initiative, Warriors to Wheels.
The Warriors to Wheels program is designed to attract and provide military veterans an “earn while you learn” training model that utilizes their military training experience to move into a career in transportation. McLane offers careers that don’t require drivers to be away from their families for extended periods of time. Delivery drivers run 1-2-day routes, with over 80 distribution centers nationwide.
“McLane values military veterans and the work ethic and skills they bring to the table. Because of this, McLane decided to provide an opportunity for veterans to utilize their military training and start a new career in transportation, with the goal of becoming part of the McLane family. This program enables eligible veterans to take full advantage of their GI Bill benefits while training to become a McLane Driver. For more information and a list of participating locations, please go to www.mclanew2w.com,” said Jennifer Rojas Clause, Inclusion and EEO Compliance Manager at McLane.
Another Central Texas employer who was recognized for their commitment to hiring veterans is Seton Medical Center Harker Heights (SMCHH), whose workforce is comprised of at least 12 percent military veterans.
PHOTO: (L) Michael Hales, RN at Seton Medical Center Harker Heights, Zachary K. Dietze, CEO of Seton Medical Center Harker Heights, TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Ruth R. Hughs, and Central Texas Workforce Development Board Executive Director Susan Kamas, at the Killeen “We Hire Vets” event.
SMCHH offers an array of health services for the Central Texas community, such as a Cardiology, Emergency Services and a Level IV Trauma Designated Emergency Room.
“At Seton Medical Center Harker Heights we are honored to be recognized by ‘We Hire Vets.’ We understand the advantages that come with hiring veterans and the invaluable experience they bring to our organization. We will continue to make it a priority to hire veterans and are fortunate to be part of the larger Fort Hood community,” said SMCHH CEO Zachary K. Dietze.
For maintaining a workforce of about 25 percent veterans, the Workforce Solutions of Central Texas Board and Workforce Center were also recognized at the Killeen event by TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Ruth R. Hughs.
Employing veterans creates a dedicated workforce with employees who know how to lead, build teams, and accept and meet challenges. Recognition of employers with veteran-friendly hiring practices is an important aspect of the Texas Operation Welcome Home (TOWH) initiative that assists recently separated veterans with employment and training opportunities.
As Gov. Greg Abbott shared when the “We Hire Vets” program was launched, “It is important to recognize current employers utilizing our highly-skilled veteran workforce, and encourage future employers to consider veterans in their hiring process. While we can never say ‘thank you’ enough, the ‘We Hire Vets’ program will create well-deserved opportunities to get our veterans back into the workforce.”
For more information on TOWH and the “We Hire Vets” program, and to download the “We Hire Vets” nomination/employer form, visit www.TexasOperationWelcomeHome.org.
Full List of Central Texas Employers Recognized at the Event:
PHOTO: U.S. Army Soldiers with the 3rd Brigade Engineer Battalion of the 1st Cavalry Division pose with John McKinny of the American Legion – Department of Texas, and TWC Texas Veterans Leadership Program Manager Jeff Singh.
PHOTO: John McKinny with the American Legion – Department of Texas, presents a Cavalry Stetson to a U.S. Army soldier with the 3rd Brigade Engineer Battalion of the 1st Cavalry Division.
John McKinny, an Army veteran and former American Legion State Commander, presented the Stetsons directly to soldiers of the 3rd Brigade Engineer Battalion along with the unit’s commanders.
McKinny said the Stetsons were donated to the Battalion by the American Legion Travis Post 76 Honor Guard, as a way to give back to our service men and women.
“It’s refreshing to see the dedication of these soldiers. I’m excited about this new generation of veterans,” he said.
McKinny entered the U. S. Army in 1969 and served two years, one of which was in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged as a Specialist (E-5). After returning from military service, he was hired by the Texas Workforce Commission (then known as the Texas Employment Commission) as a Veterans Placement Specialist, before being promoted to Interviewer, Site Manager, and then serving as the local office Veterans Employment Representative for the Port Arthur Texas Employment Office. He went on to serve as the State Director of the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) until his retirement.
McKinny said when he got out of the service, the American Legion was there for him, to help during his transition back to the civilian world.
“I had nothing when I got back, but with their help I was soon serving as a local veterans representative in Port Arthur, and was able to help fellow-veterans find work — more than 800 within one single month,” he said.
McKinny said while he knows the Army of today is very different that the one he served in, he said ceremonies like this help connect veterans through a strong esprit de corps.
“I have faith in our future. Today’s generation is tomorrow’s future,” he said.
PHOTO: Stetsons are a standard for all cavalry units in the Army.
The tradition of the Cavalry Hat (Stetson) began in the early days before the Vietnam War, and has continued to become the standard for all cavalry units in the Army.
The “Cav Hat” is not an issued item for soldiers, and is not covered in any of the uniform regulations. But the Stetsons are worn by the Troopers of the 1st Cavalry Division and many other cavalry units, for ceremonies and special cavalry events, according to the Division.
Hat cords are worn and represent the rank of the wearer. General officers wear solid gold cords, field and company grade officers wear black and gold hat cords, warrant officers wear black and silver hat cords and enlisted Troopers wear Cavalry yellow hat cords. Normally the branch insignia of the Cavalry, crossed sabers, are worn on the front along with the rank of the wearer.
PHOTO: 1st Sgt. Dailey of the 3rd Brigade Engineer Battalion speaks to his Troopers about giving back to the community.
During the ceremony at Fort Hood, the unit’s senior non-commissioned officer (NCO), 1st Sgt. Dailey, called his Troopers to formation and asked them to consider their lives after their time in the Army, and to seek out TWC services and to learn from the example that McKinny and many other veterans in public service have set.
“You never stop serving,” said Dailey to his troops. “If you plan to take advantage of the GI Bill to go to college, you have American Legion members like Mr. McKinny to thank for that. They introduced it in 1944. Veterans serving veterans.”
PHOTO: John McKinny with the American Legion – Department of Texas, speaks to soldiers with the 3rd Brigade Engineer Battalion of the 1st Cavalry Division.
After the Stetsons were handed out by McKinny to selected members of the unit, he told the troops about the last time he stood in formation as a solider, in Vietnam.
“As we stood together, the enemy started shelling our position, and dropping ordinance right on top of us. That was the last time I stood within a formation like this. I hope you leave the service with good memories of serving together, and of participating in ceremonies like this,” he said.
In appreciation for his many years of service to veterans, Dailey and his Troopers presented McKinny with a military pin bearing the unit’s insignia.
PHOTO: During the ceremony, 1st Sgt. Dailey and his Troopers presented Mr. McKinny with a military pin bearing the unit’s insignia.
“Wow! Just, wow. Thank you all,” said McKinny with gratitude to the soldiers.
Following the ceremony, the soldiers who received the Stetsons thanked McKinny personally, and posed for photos with him. Many of them said they were honored by the gift.
“They didn’t have to do any of this,” said one soldier. “But to know that they went out of their way to make us feel special, and to honor the traditions of the 1st Cav, that’s special.
“These Stetsons were handed down to us with pride. There’s a lot of honor in that,” said another soldier.
PHOTOS: PHOTO: Soldiers with the 3rd Brigade Engineer Battalion show off their new Cavalry Stetsons.
“Veterans service organizations, such as the American Legion, are critical to keeping the focus on veterans issues,” said TVLP Program Manager Jeff Singh. “This ceremony at Fort Hood was a wonderful opportunity to bring these organizations together to keep that bridge open — for relationship building, to preserve military heritage and for the continuing of service traditions into civilian life.”
TVLP is a program under TWC’s Texas Operation Welcome Home (TOWH), and assists veterans and transitioning service members as they resume civilian life in Texas. This program provides critical resource and referral services to assist these veterans in connecting with necessary employment and training services, as well as locating existing resources that can provide other ancillary services. Modeled after the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program, TVLP is overseen by a state director, and 22 local Veterans Resource and Referral Specialists (VRRS).
For more information on military transition, skills training and career resources available just for veterans in Texas, visit TexasOperationWelcomeHome.com.
Photo: U.S. Army Veteran and Texas State Graduate Student David Beadle
Military veterans and their spouses have an array of options to bolster their transition into civilian life. But as U.S. Army Veteran David Beadle and many others have discovered, Texas goes one step further in its commitment to honoring our nation’s heroes, by offering a program to provide a seamless transition to employment.
David is one of more than 1.5 million veterans estimated to call Texas home. In response to Gov. Greg Abbott’s charge to identify gaps in services to veterans, Texas Operation Welcome Home (TOWH) was created to assist and provide training opportunities to recently separated service members preparing for employment in high-growth, high-demand occupations.
The goal of the program is to provide a clear pathway for veterans such as David, as they move into civilian employment in the Lone Star State, by eliminating obstacles to attaining licensing, certification, accreditation and degree awards, so that veterans transition quickly into the workforce.
David, meanwhile, is a testimony that clear pathways help. David served as a combat medic for five years in the Army.
Photo: U.S. Army Spc. David Beadle during basic training
He said when he left the service in 2003, as a Specialist (E-4), he wasn’t sure what path to follow as a civilian as he settled in the Austin area.
“I attended college through the years, but I spent the majority of that time working and kind of building my own career,” he said. “I looked for a career change and in doing that I realized I wanted to add more marketable skills.”
David said the difference at school this time was that he tapped into the veterans’ network at the university, which helped him map out a clear plan to earn his degree.
“Through the OWLS program I was able to take the military experience that I had and transfer that over into college credit. Unlike other universities, the credits that they transferred from the military were actually applicable to my degree plan,” David said.
David credits the support of the TWC-backed veterans program, and his peers, for expediting his transition.
“I was lucky enough to find a few other veterans in the program who helped remind me that I wasn’t the only one managing school and life,” he said. “That social element was a key component in completing my degree.”
In 2017, David graduated from Texas State with a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree, with a focus on Business and Sociology. He stayed on at the university to pursue a Master’s degree in Communication Studies.
David now helps fellow veterans and Bobcats navigate the challenges of academic work as a Communications Graduate Instructional Assistant at Texas State. He encourages veterans to take advantage of programs such as TOWH to expedite their career goals, and offered some advice based on his experiences.
“The best advice I can give veterans on the same path is to talk to people,” David said. “Ask for help. Keep moving forward towards a goal and don’t stop chipping away at it — it will happen!”
To learn more about resources available just for veterans in Texas, as well as training and employment opportunities statewide, please visit the Texas Operation Welcome Home website.
“I don’t know how to two-step, but what I do know how to do is work together, and you know when you two step you have a partner. And so, it’s no good for me to just be the left leg if I don’t include the right leg. And so, what we are doing here, when we do the two step, we’re in unison, we’re working together.”
When a state agency and its program officers from Austin take the time to travel to rural areas across South Texas and listen to locals, communities, employers, individuals and stakeholders, the agency benefits with greater understanding, deeper insights and more valuable perspectives about the people it serves.
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is more accessible than most people may realize. Through more than 200 Workforce Centers and satellite offices across the state of Texas, and 130 Vocational Rehabilitation field offices, TWC connects job seekers and employers with workforce development services and training — but TWC wanted to hear directly from multiple stakeholders: Local workforce boards, employers, economic development corporations, independent school districts superintendents, trainers, counselors, non-profits, chambers, elected officials and constituents. That’s why TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez and TWC staff representing several TWC programs embarked on a South Texas listening tour, April 9-13, 2018.
Where Did We Go?
The group visited six specific Workforce Board regions: Lower Rio, South Texas, Cameron County,Coastal Bend, Alamo and Capital Area Workforce Development Areas taking along staff from TWC’s Skills Development Fund; Vocational Rehabilitation program; Apprenticeship program; and Adult Education and Literacy program. City stops included Brownsville, Laredo, Corpus Christi, San Diego, San Antonio/Hondo and Austin.
Why Did We Go?
Listen and learn from rural communities. Allow stakeholders to tell their stories, share their struggles and their successes.
Build strong relationships with rural communities and determine how to work together as a team with workforce development and training services in mind.
Educate on our workforce and training program staff, generate new interest from individuals we might not normally hear from, and bring better services.
Exit with takeaways to use as next action items.
“The primary goal of our tour was to help people feel heard, educate them on our workforce and training programs, generate new interest from individuals we wouldn’t normally hear from, bringing better services to local communities,” Commissioner Alvarez stated. “Having a transparent and informative conversation is one of the best exercises you can do to improve your program.”
Commissioner Alvarez explained that many Texans cannot afford to make it to Austin to discuss their workforce development experience and needs, and that others may simply be unaware of what TWC services are available.
Which Programs Went on Tour?
Photo: TWC Program Managers kicked off the Texas Two Step Boot Tour from Austin and headed to Brownsville for the first listening tour stop.
Since TWC staff fielded so many questions about essential programs, we asked the staff to offer an overview of major TWC programs:
1. The Skills Development Fund is Texas’ premier job-training program providing local customized training opportunities for Texas businesses and workers to increase skill levels and wages of the Texas workforce. The Texas Workforce Commission administers funding for the program. Success is achieved through collaboration among businesses, public community and technical colleges, Workforce Development Boards and economic development partners.
2. Adult Education and Literacy providers are organizations with instructors delivering English language, math, reading, writing and workforce training instruction to help adult students acquire the skills needed to succeed in the workforce, earn a high school equivalency, and enter and succeed in college or workforce training. TWC contracts with a wide variety of organizations to provide AEL instruction and promote an increased opportunity for adult learners to transition to post-secondary education, training or employment.
3. The Vocational Rehabilitation program helps people with disabilities prepare for, find or retain employment and helps youth and students prepare for post-secondary opportunities. The program also helps businesses and employers recruit, retain and accommodate employees with disabilities. The program serves adults with disabilities; youth and students with disabilities and businesses and employers.
4. Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training under the supervision of experienced journey workers with related classroom instruction. Most registered apprenticeship training programs last from three to five years as determined by industry standards.
While there were multiple questions asked at the Texas Southmost College, one major realization realized from the overall discussion is the severity of the skilled trades “skills gap” in the area and the need to continue the development of technical and skilled trades programs at both the high school and college levels to close those gaps as soon as possible.
Photo: Attendees of the Labor Boot Tour learned about customized training through Skills Development and Apprenticeship.
This conversation was followed by attendees of the Labor Boot Tour learning directly about customized training through our Skills Development and Apprenticeship teams discussing TWC programs.
Photo: TWC Director of Employer Initiatives Aaron Demerson discusses the Skills Development Fund to stakeholders in Brownsville.
Commissioner Alvarez noted that worker training is the key as the Rio Grande Valley transforms from an agricultural economy to an advance manufacturing, aerospace, maritime and LNG economy.
Invited stakeholders included Career & Technical educators, college tech-ed officials, Economic Development Corporaitons, and the Port of Brownsville–all of whom gave brief presentations of what they are working on, and the need for continued TWC funding assistance to be successful–particularly increased JET funding for the next biennium.
An overall realization demonstrated was the severity of the skilled trades “skills gap” in the area and the need to continue the development of technical and skilled trades programs at both the high school and college levels to close those gaps as soon as possible.
“All-in-all, [today] was enlightening to a large and varied audience, and the resulting sense of urgency to continue building CTE capacity in our schools and colleges was an overriding outcome. We sincerely thank Commissioner Alvarez and his staff for their dedication and availability, and appreciate their passion for what they do for the great State of Texas.”
In Mission, Texas, the Two Step Tour participants were hosted by Workforce Solutions-Lower Rio Grande, and began with an in-depth tour of Royal Technologies, an advanced engineering and manufacturing company that services diverse industries.
Photo: Royal Technologies takes TWC Program Staff on a tour of their manufacturing facility.
Photo: Tour of the Royal Technologies work space.
Highlights of the tour included viewing how automation and robotics are used by companies such as Royal Technologies, to create labor costs efficiencies, and how a manufacturing company serves both automobile and technology markets in North America and Mexico.
The tour was followed by a stakeholder meeting at South Texas College Technology Campus in McAllen, for the larger group Q&A discussion where Commissioner Alvarez, and TWC key staff from Austin, provided stakeholders pertinent information about programs and services available to the region.
Photo: TWC Program Directors field questions from the listening forum attendees in Mission.
TWC staff engaged in one-on-one discussions with stakeholders representing economic development corporations, business, education and community based organizations.
Mission’s Key Economic Development Drivers:
Maximizing and leveraging partnerships and information to better serve individuals with disabilities.
Development of innovative partnerships and programs through apprenticeship programs: TWC’s Desi Holmes answered various questions regarding apprenticeship programs and shared best practices (as seen across the state) in efforts to create programs that enables individuals to obtain workplace-relevant knowledge and skills.
Overall, creating responsive programs to meet the needs of business.
Photo: TWC Staff, Workforce Solutions – Lower Rio Grande Valley Staff, and area stakeholders join for a photo at the Mission listening forum.
“The Texas Workforce Commission Texas Two Step Listening Tour hosted by Workforce Solutions-Lower Rio was an enormous success and beneficial to our community stakeholders. Perhaps the most notable experience for the attendees was that TWC key staff and subject matter experts were so readily available to respond immediately to stakeholder questions and offer additional resources and information to pursue programs, services and grant awards available through TWC. The real-time technical assistance was invaluable for those in attendance. TWCs responsiveness and availability equips our stakeholders to develop responsive solutions.”
— Arcelia Sanchez, Business Representative, WFS Lower Rio
Photo: Rogelio Trevino ED WFS South Texas takes TWC Program staffers on a tour of LBJ High School in Laredo, to see JET and Dual Credit funding at work.
Photo: Students at LBJ High School work on life-sized computer simulated cadavers made possible through dual credit funding.
Commissioner Alvarez and the Boot Tour team kicked-off day three at San Diego High School with Superintendent Dr. Samuel Bueno and Principal Claudette Garcia.
Photo: San Diego Early College High School students show off their classroom hospital room lab stations to TWC staff.
The group toured the Certified Nursing Assistant and Welding programs funded by the JET and Dual Credit grants provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.
Photo: Welding students at San Diego High School talk about the benefits of their CTE education with TWC Commissioner Julian Alvarez.
The Two Step Tour group then moved on to Corpus Christi to meet with staff at the Workforce Solutions – Coastal Bend, as well as area stakeholders.
Superintendents of the Calallen and Flour Bluff Independent School Districts briefed the group on their Career and Technology Programs.
Photo: TWC Commissioner Julian Alvarez returns to the classroom to chat with superintendents from Calallen and Flour Bluff Independent School Districts.
Photo: Iain Vasey, president of the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation, provided an overview of the Coastal Bend economy and $50 billion in current regional projects.
Dr. Bruce Leslie, Chancellor, Alamo Colleges – provided an overview of Alamo INSTITUTES which consist of six categories: Creative & Communication Arts; Business & Entrepreneurship; Health & Biosciences; Advanced Manufacturing & Logistics; Public Service; and Science & Technology.
Pooja Tripathi, Project Coordinator – Workforce Services, Bexar County Economic Development Department and Mary Batch, Assistant Manager, Human Resource Development (HRD), Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas, Inc. – provided an overview of TXFAME.
David J. Zammiello, Executive Director Project Quest – provided an organizational overview. The mission of Project QUEST is to strengthen the economy by providing expert support and resources to develop a pipeline of highly qualified employees for in-demand occupations that offer a living wage, benefits and a career path.
Ryan Lugalia-Hollan, Executive Director P16 Plus – Mission statement is to ensure that all young people in Bexar County are ready for the future. Programs designed to help youth understand and master the concepts and challenges of basic personal finance investments in programs to build a pipeline of STEM-capable students.
Steve Hussain, Chief Mission Officer, Goodwill Industries of San Antonio – Good Careers Academy – Goodwill San Antonio’s goal is to provide an educated workforce empowered to reach their career and life goals and achieve self-sufficiency for themselves and their families. Particularly focus on empowering individuals who face barriers in gaining employment by providing education, training, career services and robust service coordination.
Juan Antonio Flores, Executive Vice President, Governmental Relations, Port San Antonio –provided an overview. Home to over 70 tenant customers who directly employ about 12,000 fellow citizens.
David Meadows, City of San Antonio Economic Development Department (EDD) – provided an overview. Development of Workforce Development Division. EDD has funded workforce agencies for many years but only started developing policy around workforce development over the last couple of years.
The second portion of the tour took place at Accenture Federal Services (AFS). Ali Bokhari, AFS Delivery Network Director, Accenture Federal Services, provided an overview and tour of the facility. Romanita Mata-Barrera, SA Works, was able to join the group and partake in the discussion.
Photo: Accenture Tour showcasing their varied services and jobs to the Texas Two Step Boot Tour.
Accenture’s Important Topics:
Vocational Rehabilitation – discussion regarding the partnership Accenture Federal Services has developed with Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation San Antonio location regarding the employment of people with disabilities. This is an ongoing partnership with not only TWC Vocational Rehabilitation staff but also WSA staff.
On-the-Job-Training – discussion regarding how AFS and WSA are collaborating in providing OJT noting obstacles that have been encountered.
Apprenticeship – AFS provided a review of their in-house apprenticeship program.
Photo: Texas Two Step Tour members pose for a group photo inside the Accenture Federal Services headquarters in San Antonio.
This portion of the tour brought the team back to the Board Office.
Carolyn King, Director Grants and Clinical Education Operations, Methodist Healthcare System of San Antonio provided an overview of the various initiatives Methodist Healthcare System of San Antonio has utilized focusing on TWC grant funding. Mark Milton, Senior Director of Workforce Operations, Goodwill Industries of San Antonio – Good Careers Academy was also in attendance.
Some of the Items Discussed:
Retention opportunities utilizing Goodwill, Project Quest as well as Alamo Colleges.
Interview Skills, helping students determine the best fit. Interviewing with numerous departments at the same time. This has been successful for not only the students but the respective supervisors.
Utilization of Skills Development Funds.
Photo: Tour of the Goodwill Good Careers Academy in San Antonio.
The final leg of the visit to San Antonio was a guided tour of the Goodwill – Good Careers Academy, located at 406 West Commerce St., San Antonio, 78207.
Mark Milton, Senior Director of Workforce Operations, Goodwill Industries of San Antonio – Good Careers Academy provided the tour. Steve Hussain, Chief Mission Officer welcomed the team to Good Careers Academy.
Some of the items highlighted were the classroom, as that particular Good Careers Academy hosts students from Fox Tech High School.
Photo: A view of the stakeholder listening forum in Hondo.
Hondo Mayor James Danner, and Jesse M. Perez, of the City of Hondo, Economic Development Department, provided an overview of workforce initiatives in Hondo/Medina County.
Hondo Key Economic Development Drivers:
In 2013 the City of Hondo initiated discussions with Goodwill Good Careers Academy to bring CNA course and other technical courses to the STRTC. And agreement with Hondo High School and Goodwill was created to offer CNA to Hondo High School Seniors.
In 2014 Concordia University began offering a Master’s Degree for teachers and BS Degree for Teachers’ Aides seeking to become teachers.
Photo: Commissioner Julian Alvarez presents a TWC Challenge Coin to Hondo Director of Economic Development Jesse M. Perez.
In 2016 the City of Hondo Economic Development Corporation (COHEDC) approved $285,000 to renovate 5,000 sq. ft. of vacant space into an allied health training suite and create two additional multi-purpose classrooms.
In 2016, the City of Hondo and COHEDC submitted a request to the US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) for a $960,000 grant with a $240,000 local match to build an annex for vocational/technical courses. EDA approved the grant request and are in the process of making arrangements to build the annex.
In January 2016 WSA leased space to provide workforce development services in Medina County at STRTC.
In 2017, together with WSA and Southern Career Institute (SCI) CNA courses were offered to adults. SCI provides the instruction. WSA provides funding for qualified adults.
Photo: A group photo from the stakeholder listening forum in Hondo.
Photo: Members of the Two Step Boot Tour visit a maternity delivery room at St. David’s North Austin Medical Center which features training tools to simulate a mother and newborn child.
Photo: ACC ACCelerator displayed a greeting for the Texas Two Step Boot Tour team.
Photo: ACC ACCelerator’s vast training and work space.
The final day of the Boot Tour culminated in a listening session with Workforce Solutions Capital Area staff and local stakeholders.
Photo: A view of the listening forum with Workforce Solutions Capital area staffers and stakeholders.
Learnings & Takeaways
“Commissioner Alvarez: Having traveled through several regions and multiple cities on tour, what did you learn? What seemed significant? Were there any major takeaways for you?”
“Those are good questions. TWC went on tour to listen and learn from rural communities. This was an opportunity to allow stakeholders to tell their stories, share their struggles and their successes. I think what really stood out about the tour for me is how much our services here at TWC have had such an impact on so many lives, communities and the economy. For example, I knew TWC makes a difference and that TWC-TWS workforce and development training programs and services have the ability to change lives, but it’s different seeing that in person. I knew our grants really trained people but it’s different seeing it up close and personal. That really hit home for me having had the opportunity to tour and witness first-hand a high school with 400 students on the receiving end of a JET grant. It was very powerful. And the students were equally as enthusiastic about sharing how it has changed their lives.
These students are experiencing the newest and latest welding methods due to one grant with the end result being that industry are hiring many of them right out of high school. And that’s success, right there. That’s a significant takeaway. And sometimes the results speak for themselves.
A secondary purpose for the tour was to build strong relationships with rural communities and determine how to work together going forward as a team with workforce development and training services in mind. On that note, I feel the tour was successful in that we successfully brought Austin to communities that can’t afford to travel to Austin to meet with our agency directly. Many who attended these stakeholder meetings and discussions were employees of non-profits while others ran agencies with limited resources.
Finally, I’m glad to be part of such a great agency and work alongside individuals who truly care about what they do and the people they serve. Another purpose for the tour was for us to educate on our workforce and training programs, generate new interest from individuals we might not normally hear from, and bring better services. This tour allowed me a second opportunity to to experience how professional and knowledgeable our TWC staff actually are, how passionate they are about their programs and educating others, and how much they want to help others which is the essence of bringing better services.
I’m glad for some actions items and takeaways. And finally, I’m glad to be part of such a great agency.”
Photo: Each member of the Texas Two Step Boot Tour placed one of their shoes in the form of a circle to symbolize unity.
Additional Takeaways and Future Action Items:
Takeaway 1 – Target “Skills Gap”: The severity of the skilled trades “skills gap” demonstrates a strong need to continue the development of technical and skilled trades programs at both the high school and college levels to close gaps as soon as possible. Several communities spoke of the sense of urgency to continue building Career Technical Education (CTE) capacity in schools and colleges. TWC should also address how to help colleges work better with one another to build capacity and provide training for each other.
Takeaway 2 – More TWC Outreach: Multiple individuals and communities are unfamiliar with TWC programs and there exists a strong need for greater awareness. TWC needs to better educate what TWC programs can offer. This tour demonstrated the fact that certain folks do not know what an Adult Education Literacy program entails, or how Skills Fund works, or who the Vocational Rehabilitation program touches or affects — or how apprenticeship programs can change young lives. (If people were truly surprised to learn that we provide workforce training in addition to basic education and English, TWC realizes there are many other services delivered that individuals are not aware of or familiar with so greater education and more awareness is needed.)
Takeaway 3 – Expand VR Awareness: There is a need for greater discussion regarding the partnerships developed with Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation regarding the employment of people with disabilities. This is an ongoing partnership with not only TWC Vocational Rehabilitation staff but also WSA staff in certain regions. Maximizing and leveraging partnerships and information to better serve individuals with disabilities is essential.
Takeaway 4 – Share Apprenticeship Best Practices:TWC heard of a greater need for development of innovative partnerships and programs through apprenticeship programs. There is a need for further discussion on shared best practices (as seen across the state) in efforts to create programs that enables individuals to obtain workplace-relevant knowledge and skills.
Takeaway 5 – Be Responsive to Local Business Needs: TWC heard throughout the tour of the need to continuously create responsive programs to meet the needs of business areas visited – there is a realization that each region and city have their successes and their own needs. It is not a one-size-fits-all approach. TWC needs to take time to determine local needs.
Takeaway 6 – Reduce Confusion Over VR Services: Because of the vast array of services offered by TWC (with each of these individual programs taken on tour), TWC is a full-service program for job seekers and employers. Certain questions asked to full audiences came from local Work Force Solutions staff wanting to understand the services provided by the boards and how to access them for VR customers. It demonstrates a need to educate at all levels on the full reach of TWC, boards, and their contractors. More education and awareness for VR programs is also needed. The other TWC programs are provided through grants to boards, schools, training centers etc. VR services are provided directly to the individual with a disability. There is sometimes confusion over how VR services differentiate from other TWC services.
Takeaway 7 – Continue Visits with Local Stakeholders:Having traveled through six regions with TWC’s programs, TWC now has a better understanding that the true worth of the work TWC does and the programs managed that can only be fully appreciated when one is able to see the results and the impact our services our work has on the lives of people and businesses across the state. TWC program managers must engage in field trips in the future to better understand the impact of the programs TWC manages across the state.
Takeaway 8 – Expand Outreach about Skills Development Fund: Each day of the tour TWC was asked about the Skills Fund Program. All areas and regions indicated a strong interest in the Skills Development Fund. TWC was able to discuss how it feels it has made a commitment to developing strong relationships at the local level by locating a Regional Staff person in the area. Unfortunately, TWC learned that many businesses and other partners often do not know that this person is there and that the person is a member of the state office team assigned to assist them in benefiting specifically from the programs and services TWC provides.
Photo: A Boot Tour staff member’s “Texas is Wide Open for Business” boots.
More Photos from the Tour
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The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) recently announced the award of over $1 million to support four new accelerated certificate or degree programs through its College Credit for Heroes (CCH) program, a statewide effort designed to maximize the award of college credit to veterans and service members for their military experience.
Since the program’s inception, more than 85,000 veterans have created accounts at CollegeCreditforHeroes.org. An estimated 27,000 veterans have received evaluations with an average of 16 credit hours awarded per student from participating colleges and universities.
Nick St. Clair served as a medical specialist, practical nurse and field artillery officer in the U.S. Army. After leaving the service, he applied for the nursing school program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC), a College Credit for Heroes partner school, and was referred to the program. St. Clair was awarded nine service credit hours and used the credit to obtain his Bachelor of Science in nursing in 2016.
“I began my adult life as a medic, practical nurse and hospital educator in the Army and absolutely loved it,” said St. Clair. “After some time away from patients, I’m fortunate to have had the opportunity to return to my first professional love.”
St. Clair is currently employed as a registered nurse at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth. He credits his success to the College Credit for Heroes program and TTUHSC’s unique program for veterans with his military background.
“With the College Credit for Heroes grant, the university created the Veteran to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (VBSN) track, an accelerated program for veterans with prior military medical training and experiences who want to obtain a nursing degree,” said TTUHSC VBSN Director Debbie Sikes.
“Nick was among our first VBSN graduating class, which included six other students. Success of the VBSN track was demonstrated by all seven students passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) on their first attempt and becoming employed as registered nurses,” she said.
New 2017 programs that received funding through College Credit for Heroes
Dallas County Community College District — $262,977 to develop the Veterans Education Transition program, designed to create an accelerated transition to a civilian career by replicating existing programs developed by Grayson College and Lee College.
Houston Community College — $472,687 to develop a veterans academy for veterans and service members to assess prior military experiences and provide employment.
Lee College — $145,457 to establish an accelerated emergency medical technician program.
Texas State University — $145,495 to create Accelerate TXState, an online prior learning assessment curriculum
For more information about College Credit for Heroes partner schools or to register for the program, visit CollegeCreditForHeroes.org.
Qualified Long-Term Unemployment Recipient added to those eligible for Work Opportunity Tax Credit
Employers who hire a Qualified Long-Term Unemployment Recipient are now entitled to receive up to $2,400 in tax savings for each individual added to their payroll starting January 1, 2016. As part of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (the PATH Act), this group was added to the list of targeted populations who qualify for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC).
WOTC, a federal income tax benefit administered by the U.S. Department of Labor for employers, helps targeted workers move from economic dependency into self-sufficiency as they earn a steady income and become contributing taxpayers, while participating employers are able to reduce their income tax liability.
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) assists employers by certifying the eligibility of individuals for this federal employer tax benefit. For more information regarding the WOTC program, visit the TWC WOTC web page.
Eligible groups, including the new Qualified Long Term Unemployment Recipients, for WOTC include:
Ex-felons
Residents of empowerment zones or rural renewal counties
Summer youth
Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit recipients
Supplemental Security Income recipients
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients
Vocational rehabilitation referrals
Long Term Family Assistance recipients
Veteran groups – Veterans receiving SNAP benefits, disabled and unemployed veterans
Each group has specific qualifications and employers can earn a tax credit from $1,200 to $9,600 per eligible employee hired, depending on which group the newly hired worker represents.
Anyone who can recall the difficult transitions of their youth will surely count among them the passage from elementary school to middle school. So many things are different and the routine is less rigid and familiar, and expectations are different and less defined. This can be particularly challenging if your reading level is a bit behind your peers. But a lucky group of students facing those circumstances at Davila Middle School in Bryan, Texas are benefitting from the mentorship of a Marine veteran who is all too familiar with making this kind of difficult transition under challenging circumstances.
Melissa LeCounte, a disabled veteran of the Marine Corps, stands in her 6th grade classroom at Arthur L. Davila Middle School in Bryan, Texas. Photo courtesy of Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley.
For Melissa LeCounte, transitioning from military to civilian life was more than just packing up and moving from a military base to a quiet neighborhood in the suburbs; it also meant transitioning from familiar military duties to a new career in the civilian world.
LeCounte and her family moved to Bryan so that her husband could pursue a degree from Texas A&M University. An injury cut short her military career, creating an additional challenge. She had to adapt from the routine of military work and create her own pattern outside of that prescribed regimen.
The routine LeCounte developed was getting up every day and going to her local Workforce Solutions office to look for work. She began her job search by utilizing the many services available through Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley (Brazos Valley) to search for employment. She started the process by registering with Texas Workforce Commission’s (TWC) job-matching system WorkInTexas.com.
LeCounte attended several workshops, job clubs and met with the local Rural Veterans Career Advisor at the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) who showed her how to transfer her military skills to job skills that would be noticed by employers. The Workforce Solutions network offers career assistance with resume building, interview skills and job coaching while connecting veterans with employers.
After securing a full time job, LeCounte enrolled in the Teacher Education Alternative Certification Host (TEACH) program at Blinn College to pursue a career in teaching. While working full time, LeCounte attended classes once a week for one year in preparation of obtaining her teaching certification.
Now, as a sixth grade reading teacher for Davila Middle School, she has found her niche in life working with students that face not only the transition to middle school, but the additional challenge of reading below grade level. LeCounte is elated with her new role as a teacher and uses stories from her military career, and life in general, to synthesize the students in what they are learning each day. After her first year, she was extremely proud that her students pushed beyond their challenges, just as she did, and mastered reading beyond their grade level. She received several educator awards including Rookie Teacher of the Year.
LeCounte’s advice to veterans transitioning from military service to the private sector in Texas, “Get to a Workforce Solutions office and sign up so that you can get the help you need to be successful. They don’t just tell you but will show you how to do it.”
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) recently announced the award of over $1 million to support four new accelerated certificate or degree programs through its 
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