E-News: March 2019

From the CEO’s Desk: Innovating for theFuture

March was an exciting month for us at Workforce Solutions RuralCapital Area (WSRCA). We held the ribbon cutting for our newOne-Stop location in Lockhart. There was a great turnout from thecommunity and from our workforce partners and Board members.We also launched our new website with good feedback from ourusers. We had the opportunity to attend the National Association ofWorkforce Boards (NAWB) annual conference in Washington, DC.

Several of our staff and Board members were able to attend the NAWB event, and it was a greatlearning and networking opportunity. Finally we are beginning our workforce development communitymeetings by county. The first one was held in Bastrop on March 28, to give all the partners in thecommunity a forum to talk about their workforce opportunities and challenges. We will be rolling thesemeetings out in our other eight counties in the very near future.

-WSRCA CEO Paul Fletcher.

WSRCA Opens New One-Stop Center in Lockhart

WSRCA held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of its new Workforce Solutionsof Caldwell County One-Stop Center in Lockhart, Texas. The new One-Stop Center is located at 1711S. Colorado Street, Unit G, in Lockhart.

Speakers at the ceremony included WSRCA CEO Paul Fletcher, Commissioner Representing thePublic, Robert D. Thomas, of the Texas Workforce Commission, and Alfonso Sifuentes, WSRCABoard Member and Green Group Director of Market Development and Community Relations.Participating guests at the event included community leaders and workforce partners from Caldwelland Hays Counties.

“Our One-Stop Centers are where business and careers meet,” said WSRCA CEO Paul Fletcher. “Theteams at each center help employers find workforce solutions, and assist job seekers and veteranswith training workshops, programs and support, for every stage of their career journey. We’re proud toconnect our Rural Capital Area workforce and businesses to new opportunities, and we’re excited tohelp empower the Caldwell County community to compete at a global level. Thank you to all of ourcommunity partners for their support.”

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

WSRCA Relaunches Website to Enhance Usability,Accessibility, Resources for Customers

WSRCA is pleased to announce the relaunch of its website, workforcesolutionsrca.com. The updatedsite is designed to provide a more user-friendly, mobile-focused experience for audiences, allowingvisitors to experience a wide variety of accessible resources in English and Spanish, aimed atenhancing their workforce opportunities.

"We are thrilled to unveil our new website,” said WSRCA CEO Paul Fletcher. “This is more than just acosmetic makeover. This site relaunch enhances the user experience and reflects our Board’scommitment to providing world-class services for our customers—whether they connect with us onlineor visit one of our many workforce one-stop centers or satellite offices. Our new digital portal reflectsthe dedication of our innovative team members, who find new ways each day to empower our RuralCapital Area community.”

The new website will be updated on a regular basis with business opportunities, career workshops,events, and press releases. Visitors are encouraged to utilize the website to locate a nearby workforcecenter, and to learn more about the WSRCA Board of Directors and its partnerships.

WSRCA Team Attends NAWB Forum in Washington, DCto Discuss Workforce Innovations, Best Practices

Your WSRCA team attended The Forum 2019, hosted by the NAWB, in Washington, DC, to meet andcollaborate with fellow workforce leaders from across the nation. The group discussed the future ofwork, as well as emerging workforce pathways, to help enhance our development strategies to meetthe needs of our Rural Capital Area workforce.

Pictured (L): WSRCA Board Member Kimberly Goode, CEO Paul Fletcher, CCO Jenna Akridge, COOAl Lopez, CSO Cara DiMattina-Ryan, Board Member Hector Aguilar and Board Member Elva Zdeb

WSRCA TeamMeets with HaysCounty Judge toBolster RuralCapital AreaWorkforceOpportunities

Your WSRCA team metwith Hays County JudgeRuben Becerra, as part ofour continuing effort toprovide greater support toour community partners,and to improve our effortsto meet their areaworkforce needs. Our

collaborative workforce partnerships are just another reason why the Rural Capital Area of Texas isthe best place to live, work and do business. Pictured (L): WSRCA COO Al Lopez, CEO Paul Fletcher,CSO Cara DiMattina-Ryan and Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra.

Staffing Challenges? WSRCA Business Services Can Help

We understand that the success of your business is largely dependent on the ability to find qualifiedcandidates to fill your staffing needs. Yet, the task of finding and maintaining employees with the rightskills, training and education can be daunting. That's where we come in. Our WSRCA BusinessServices team assists employers like you at every stage of your workforce needs:

Recruiting, Interviewing & HiringJob FairsJob Postings on WorkInTexas.comCustomized Skills TrainingLabor Market InformationLayoff Assistance

Visit www.workforcesolutionsrca.com to learn more.

Business ServicesTeam Meets with USDental Solutions toExpand Rural CapitalArea Job Opportunitiesin AdvancedManufacturing

Your WSRCA team and ourpartners at Austin CommunityCollege, met with Cedar Parkbusiness leaders D. ShaneStevens and Dr. John Babineau,as well as their talented groupat Dental Health ManagementSolutions, Capital DentalEquipment and AnyPlace MD.These Rural Capital Areainnovators are known forintroducing first-to-market

solutions that are changing the medical and dental health industries, and they're looking to hire you!

Watch for their upcoming advanced manufacturing job opportunities in www.WorkInTexas.com.

WSRCA Helps Celebrate Rural Capital Area Public Works Teams atAppreciation Luncheon Hosted by Gary Job Corps, Green Group

We're proud to have taken part in the Public Works Appreciation Luncheon hosted by Gary Job Corpsin San Marcos and Green Group Holdings. The hard work of the public works teams throughout our 9-county Rural Capital Area does not go unnoticed. We're grateful for their dedication to ourcommunities, and thankful for our partners who help celebrate this amazing workforce.

Looking for Help to Pay for Child Care Expenses?

Through federal, state and local funding, WSRCA Child Care Services is able to provide financial aidfor eligible families and provide professional development opportunities. The Texas Rising Star childcare providers that partner with us, voluntarily meet requirements that exceed the state’s minimumlicensing standards. Your child deserves the best. Visit www.workforcesolutionsrca.com to learn more.

WSRCA Partners with Smithville Chamber, Library, to Host Community Job Fair

Your WSRCA team is proud to have partnered with the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce and the SmithvilleLibrary, to host a community job fair. About 21 local and state government employers took part in the hiring event, connecting to more than 80job-seekers. Thank you to all of the businesses that

attended. Pictured (L): WSRCA Talent Development Facilitator Kelly Langley, Smithville Chamber Office

Manager/Event Coordinator Bridgette Padgett, Business Solutions Consultant Martha Chabot andseveral of the employers who took part.

Connect with Veterans Services to Enhance Your Opportunities

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

Veterans Job Fair Held in Round Rock to Help Local Employers Hire Our Nation's Heroes

More than 90 military veterans connected with about 40 Rural Capital Area employers at a Veterans Job Fair held at the Workforce Solutions of Williamson County One-Stop Center in Round Rock. The hiring event was hostedby Veterans Resource Coordinators with the Texas Veterans Leadership Program (TVLP) and the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC), as well as the WSRCA Business Services team.

Thank you to all of the employers who took part. Visit www.workforcesolutionsrca.com for moreupcoming job fairs. Pictured (R): TVC Veterans Employer Liaison Jerald Gould, TVC DisabledVeterans Outreach Program Specialist Rhonda Mack, WSRCA Business Services RepresentativeCraig Henry, TVLP Veterans Resource Coordinator Casey Wade and TVC Employment LiaisonNelson Touchett.

Attend a Career Development Workshop to Boost Job Search Success

UpSkill your career! Attend a WSRCA workshop to create new workforce opportunities. Here are justsome of the workshops that are available each month:

Effective Job Search StrategiesHow to Have an A+ InterviewHow to Create an Effective ResumeFind Your Path: Career Exploration

Managing Money While UnemployedNetworking for Job Search SuccessOvercoming Background Check ConcernsSo What if You’re Over 40!

Visit the events calendar on www.workforcesolutionsrca.com to find a training workshop near you.

Youth TalentDevelopment TeamConnects Studentsto Employers,Occupations atRural Capital AreaHigh School CareerFairs

The WSRCA Youth ServicesProgram is proud to havetaken part in high schoolcareer fairs in both Taylorand San Marcos, to helpconnect students with RuralCapital Area businesses andemployers for careerexploration. Youth programspecialists assist motivatedyoung adults ages 16-24,who have barriers and

challenges to workforce success. The program provides support in setting and achieving goals toeligible participants to complete their General Educational Development (GED), post-secondaryeducation, vocational training and or job search help. Pictured: Workforce Innovation and OpportunityAct (WIOA) Talent Development Specialists (Youth) Yvonne Moreno, Amanda Perez and StephanieMora. Visit www.workforcesolutionsrca.com for more on the program.

Rural Capital Area Adds 6,418 Jobs in February

The economy of the Rural Capital Area saw positive employment growth in February 2019, with 6,418jobs added, according to figures released by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). Theunemployment rate in the nine-county workforce development area dropped from 3.5 percent inJanuary, down to 3.2 percent in February. The 3.2 percent unemployment rate represented 17,275residents seeking employment. The region’s unemployment rate remained below both the Texas (3.9percent) and national (4.1 percent) rates.

The Rural Capital Area’s 2.0 percent annual growth rate represented the addition of 10,313 jobs sinceFebruary 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 moreemployment data, visit texaslmi.com.

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