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Opportunities for Veterans
Serving those who have served their country.

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has a long-standing history of commitment to veterans. TWC continually seeks opportunities to improve workforce services to veterans in Texas.

Priority of Service

The Jobs for Veterans Act of 2002 sets forth federal priority of service provisions for certain individuals receiving services funded, in whole or in part, by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) within the Texas workforce system.

Texas Labor Code §302.014 directs TWC to give priority of service to state qualified veterans. Additionally, Texas Labor Code §302.014, charges that state qualified veterans receive preference (i.e., priority of service) for training or assistance under a job training or employment assistance program or service. This requirement applies to services funded in whole or in part by state funds.

WorkInTexas.com

TWC's Internet-based job matching system, WorkInTexas.com has implemented a number of enhancements to better serve veterans. TWC has utilized programming in WorkInTexas.com to ensure that qualified, eligible veterans move to the top of job match results lists for employers and staff.

System Flags for Veterans Identification

Hire Vets First Logo

TWC has provided an icon in WorkInTexas.com that enables job seekers to easily identify those postings/employers who have indicated an interest in or requirement for hiring veterans. This icon which is available on selected screens within WorkInTexas.com provides employers with the ability to designate a job posting as "Match Veterans Only."

First Day Hold

TWC has implemented a process to automatically limit referrals to qualified, eligible veterans only, for the first day that a posting appears in WorkInTexas.com. On October 5, 2007, a first day veterans' hold was placed on all job postings in WorkInTexas.com to ensure that veterans seeking work have access to job openings before the general public.

Veteran-Only Job Postings

Veteran-only job postings are designated by the Hire Vets First icon and job seekers must be veterans in order to match and declare an interest in them.

  • Employers can designate their job postings as Veteran-Only job postings "Always" or "First Day Only." As long as the Hire Vets First icon displays on the job posting, only veterans will match, and only veterans can express an interest in the job or apply online.
  • All job postings display the Hire Vets First icon the first day the job opening is listed in WorkInTexas.com. If the employer selects "First Day Only" then the icon will not appear on the job posting the second day, and the job posting will match to all qualified job seekers regardless their veteran status.

Job Searches

There are a number of ways veterans and employers connect via job matching in WorkInTexas.com.

  • Employers can browse for "Veteran Only" and/or disabled job seekers. Veteran job seekers are designated with an American flag icon.
  • Job Seekers can browse for "Veterans Only" job postings, and if they know the name of an federal contractor (FCJL) employer, they can browse for jobs using that specific employer's name.
  • Staff can browse for both "Veteran Only" job seekers, "Veterans Only" job postings, and they can browse for FCJL job postings.

Special Initiatives

Texas Veterans Leadership Program

The Texas Veterans Leadership Program is a Texas Workforce Commission resource and referral network that serves to connect 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.

Jobs for Military Spouses

On March 20, 2007, TWC approved the use of Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Statewide Activity Funds in the amount of $2,000,000 to support the Jobs for Military Families program. This program provides services to military spouses at several One-Stop Centers in Central Texas. The program assists military spouses to find employment. Military spouses often leave employment to accompany service members to the Ft. Hood military installation. Frequently military spouses' work experience, salary expectations, or skills levels may not match local business needs. Additionally, military spouses lack vital resources necessary to find local employment. The project goal is to match local business employment needs with individuals who have assessed or demonstrated skills, and have a good understanding of workplace expectations.

Hard-to-Serve Veterans

On October 23, 2007, TWC approved the use of Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Statewide Activity Funds in the amount of $425,000 to support the outreach and engagement of the hard-to-serve veterans in Texas, particularly those who are homeless, have a history of substance abuse, are ex-offenders, those with post-traumatic stress disorder, those with physical, mental or learning disabilities, or those who have been recently discharged from military duty. Services provided through this initiative are intended to compliment the employment services offered by the Texas Veterans Commission throughout the state's workforce center system.

Links

Disabled Veteran Outreach Program (DVOP)/Local Veteran Employment Representative (LVER)
House Bill (HB) 2604, enacted by the 79th Texas Legislature (Regular Session), moves the Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program and Local Veterans' Employment Representative (DVOP/LVER) grant from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC). For further information on services to veterans provided by this grant contact Bill Wilson of TVC at (512) 463-6535.

Texas Veterans Online
As a military veteran, you and your family are entitled to benefits earned by virtue of your military service. The purpose of this site is to bring together veteran's benefit and assistance resource information for you as a Texas veteran and your family. The website contains information to assist you and your family in buying a home or land, receiving education benefits, finding a job, finding health care resources and much more.

Transition Assistance Program for Veterans
This online course offers job-search assistance to active duty service members, National Guard, Reserves, and spouses of service members separating or retiring from the military. Areas covered include writing effective resumes and cover letters, proper interviewing techniques, and numerous methods for successful job searches.

Texas Veterans Commission
Assist Texas veterans with filing claims for VA compensation, pensions, benefits, educational assistance, home loans, insurance, and other privileges. Services provided via a network of county service officers and TVC staff.

Texas Veterans Land Board
Assists veterans in identifying, locating and purchasing land in Texas.

U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Assists veterans in medical, educational, compensation, pensions, home loans and other benefits.

United States Armed Forces Job Opportunities
Military Careers provides information concerning job opportunities within the nations military services (Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard) and the National Guard. Search the site to get a list of military occupations that match your interest, or browse occupations by category. Obtain information on training, advancement and educational opportunities by each of the services. Also contains links to the individual military services web site home pages.

Last Revision: October 15, 2008