January - March, 2018  |  Quarterly Newsletter

Workforce and KRGV Partner to Combat Unemployment

Workforce Solutions (WFS) kicked off 2018 with a special collaboration with our community partners at KRGV Channel 5 News. Four times a year, KRGV’s Heart of the Valley program goes in depth to illuminate one critical issue, cause, or need, to help create positive change within the community. In January the program focused on Employment, and Workforce Solutions participated not only by providing information on the topic, but also by hosting a valley-wide job fair. 

The job fair took place at each of our WFS offices and spanned three counties (Willacy, Starr, & Hidalgo). KRGV reporters were onsite and reporting from the beginning at 9 am until the very end at 2 pm. Thanks to the daily coverage they were able to provide coupled with our community outreach, we had nearly 1,000 job seekers attend the event across five locations. 

As a non-profit organization, it is our mission to engage with the community in a way that will create a positive change, so the collaboration with KRGV was something we were more than eager to work on. Any opportunity to spread awareness on our services is an opportunity for us to give back to the RGV. 

Interested in our upcoming events? Visit our redesigned website at wfsolutions.org to use our Calendar of Events along with other useful resources!

 

Workforce Solutions Encourages STEAM Educations with Inaugural Child Care Camp

Workforce Solutions hosted the inaugural Child Care Camp "Powered by STEAM" during Spring Break for preschool and school age children enrolled in Texas Rising Star (TRS) child care facilities. The purpose of the event was to introduce and encourage children to engage in the Sciences, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) activities.

Age appropriate activities were organized by community organizations, such as: Code RGV, First RGV, International Museum of Art & Science, Lakeshore Learning, McAllen Recycling Center, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley – UT Cares Club and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley – STEM department. The two-day camp was attended by approximately 500 children.

Early STEAM experiences have demonstrated to have a positive influence in supporting academic success. Our community partners at the Pharr Economic Development Corporation, Pharr Events Center, and all of our child care partners came together to make this event memorable for the children in attendance. 

Annual Impact Report Now Available Online

At the end of each year, Workforce Solutions develops an annual report comprised of successful events, initiatives that made a positive impact in our community, information on in-demand occupation pathways and much more.

This document covers fiscal year 2017 and is the first WFS Impact Report to be made available online. See how we made an impact last year by visiting us online at wfsolutions.org.

2018 Texas Business Conference 

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) made a visit to the McAllen Convention Center on February 9, 2018 to engage with area employers, human resource professionals, business owners and managers at the Texas Business Conference. The intent behind the meeting was to inform and educate our constituents on the employment law update. The conference provided valuable information for employers and business owners concerning the legal issues associated with operating a business in Texas.

“We are committed to providing employers with the information they need to succeed,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Ruth R. Hughs. “The Texas Business Conference brings valuable resources to help employers effectively navigate through state and federal employment laws.”

Workforce Solutions facilitated the event by coordinating a Q&A session with local employers such as Spectrum and Doctors Hospital at Renaissance. The session provided employers with practical, up-to-date information for operating a successful business along with techniques to more effectively manage employees. Seminar topics included: Texas employment law and the basics of hiring; federal and Texas wage and hour laws; employee policy handbooks and many more.

McAllen Public Library 2018 Job Fair  

Workforce Solutions partnered up with the City of McAllen once again to help put together the McAllen Public Library 2018 Job Fair on February 3rd, 2018. The event continued the tradition of success that the prior year exemplified, with 850 job seekers in attendance. 

The event had no shortage of employers either; over 45 employers such as the United States Border Patrol, South Texas Health Systems, Texas Department of Public Safety, and many more were able to extend opportunities to RGV citizens. 

Workforce Solutions is always happy to assist our community partners in creating the most successful job fairs and hiring events possible. If you would like to work with us, please visit us at wfsolutions.org to see the services that we provide AT NO COST.