Earmarking $9 million in funding, TWC is exploring [rograms, Tools & Technology to support Job Creation, Preparedness & Progression
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – End of July, heading into early August, and aren't we glad we get to live in Texas! Last month, we saw the Texas economy growing in industries and areas across the state, with latest labor market reporting tracking a 6.5% unemployment rate, and 55,800 total nonagricultural jobs added over June (reported in July).
Following our June labor market unemployment release, Governor Abbott released his own statement lauding the state's job surge.
"The Texas economy is booming," the Governor stated.
"Businesses are investing in the Lone Star State at a record pace because we've built a framework that allows free enterprise to flourish and hardworking Texans to prosper."
"Businesses are investing in the Lone Star State at a record pace because we've built a framework that allows free enterprise to flourish and hardworking Texans to prosper."
And speaking of building frameworks and expanding, we are also seeing something else in Texas we haven't seen before that signals perhaps far more of what is yet to come. In July, in a tiny far West Texas town named Van Horn, tucked among the farming, ranching and mining of the Guadalupe mountains, a booming future business of space tourism took flight. The company, Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos in 2000 (located outside the town) launched four people on a 10-minute trip into space. A quick review of the available job listings on Blue Origin's page, meanwhile, shows that not all the listed jobs require a four-year degree.
Jobs such as Avionics Harnessing Technician II, Machinist, Heat Treat Technician or a CNC Tool Coordinator require anywhere between a high school diploma and associate degree.
On the night before launch, social media photos showed that Elon Musk showed up to lend his support.
Jobs such as Avionics Harnessing Technician II, Machinist, Heat Treat Technician or a CNC Tool Coordinator require anywhere between a high school diploma and associate degree.
On the night before launch, social media photos showed that Elon Musk showed up to lend his support.
Musk also recently relocated to Texas to focus on two big priorities for his companies: SpaceX's new Starship vehicle, based in Brownsville, Texas, and Tesla Inc.'s new Gigafactory, currently under construction in Austin. According to the mogul, a college degree does not represent some "exceptional ability," therefore you don't need one to rank at his company.
According to LinkedIn, many famous companies – including tech giants – don't always need employees with college degrees.
Following a study and analysis of data, it was discovered that specific positions are most likely to be filled by non-college graduates – such as electronic technicians, mechanical designers and marketing representatives.
Today, more than 50% of America’s available jobs require less than a four-year college degree and more than a high school diploma.
Across the country, many businesses are seeing a shortage of labor in the middle skills – defined as workers with some education beyond high school but less than a four-year degree. Trades from mechanics to plumbers to electricians are in high demand, so with a view toward that future in mind, the Texas Workforce Commission has taken action to address the Middle Skills Gap in the state.
Following a study and analysis of data, it was discovered that specific positions are most likely to be filled by non-college graduates – such as electronic technicians, mechanical designers and marketing representatives.
Today, more than 50% of America’s available jobs require less than a four-year college degree and more than a high school diploma.
Across the country, many businesses are seeing a shortage of labor in the middle skills – defined as workers with some education beyond high school but less than a four-year degree. Trades from mechanics to plumbers to electricians are in high demand, so with a view toward that future in mind, the Texas Workforce Commission has taken action to address the Middle Skills Gap in the state.
The TWC is committed to ensuring and enabling the state's labor market has the tools needed to succeed in high demand industries, and employers have a skilled workforce from which to hire.
We see the trends. We notice the gap. By earmarking $9 million in funding, TWC is exploring programs, tools and technology to support via grant funding for job creation, job preparedness, and job progression activities to help put more Texas workers on a path to a career in a rewarding middle skills job. Over the coming weeks, TWC’s staff will explore solutions including a career pathways app for students and job seekers, one-on-one job coaching, training and certifications in high demand occupations, and a mobile credential tracker. TWC will also explore virtual reality technology to support career exploration, short-term training for parents of children in TWC's child care program, outreach efforts, training and certifications in advanced trades/manufacturing, expanding the adult early learning math call center, and providing remedial math assistance for applicants in the registered apprenticeship program.
Through the combination of existing programs, local Workforce Solutions boards, and this new funding, TWC continues to offer the tools and resources needed for Texans to succeed.
