Located in:
- Program-specific Requirements for Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth Activities under Title I-B
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include the following with respect to activities carried out under subtitle B--
b. 1. If the State is Utilizing Work-based Training Models (e.g. On-the- Job Training, Incumbent Worker Training, Transitional Jobs, and Customized Training) as Part of Its Training Strategy and These Strategies Are Not Already Discussed in Other Sections of the Plan, Describe the State’s Strategies for How These Models Ensure High Quality Training for Both the Participant and the Employer.
Current Narrative:
Allotments under WIOA enable the state to assist Boards in providing workforce investment activities for adults and dislocated workers.
Workforce development and adult education and training are key services available to prepare job seekers for success in jobs that employers need filled. By improving the skills, education, and literacy levels of individual adults and dislocated workers, these services improve their subsequent employment, job retention, and earnings.
Alternative Training Models
Texas uses a number of alternative training programs as part of its workforce development strategy. These programs involve TWC collaborating with Boards, companies, and education training providers to improve training, as well as awarding a competitive grant program for training programs. These are discussed in other sections of the plan; however, a few deserve highlighting because of their success in advancing high–quality on–the–job training and incumbent worker training for both the participant and the employer.
The Skills Development Fund is Texas’ premier job–training program providing training opportunities for Texas businesses and workers. Funding for the program is administered by TWC. Success is achieved through collaboration among businesses, public community and technical colleges, Boards, and economic development partners.
The Skills Development Fund program assists businesses and trade unions by financing the design and implementation of customized job–training projects. This fund merges business needs and local customized training opportunities into a winning formula to increase the skills levels and wages of the Texas workforce.
The Skills for Small Business program receives financing out of the Skills Development Fund. The Skills for Small Business program is dedicated to supporting the backbone of Texas’ economy—small employers. Businesses with fewer than 100 employees can apply to TWC for training offered by their local community or technical college, or the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX). The program trains newly hired employees, with the intent of helping to fill positions for work that employers currently cannot fill and that often pay better than most jobs. TWC works with the college to fund the specific courses selected by businesses for their employees.
The Skills for Veterans initiative also receives financing out the Skills Development Fund, in order to specifically address the training needs of post–9/11 veterans returning home and entering the Texas workforce. Skills for Veterans train veterans for jobs in high–demand by Texas employers. Employers that hire post–9/11 era veterans, including those who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn or Operation Enduring Freedom, may be eligible to participate in this training opportunity, offered by their local community or technical college, or the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX).
The Self–Sufficiency Fund program assists businesses and trade unions by financing the development and implementation of customized job–training projects for new and current workers. Self–Sufficiency Fund grants offer businesses customized training solutions that support workforce hiring efforts and skills upgrading for current workers. The purpose of the Self–Sufficiency Fund is to provide training for targeted employment opportunities, primarily for adult Temporary Assistance for Needy Families recipients as well as those individuals at risk of becoming dependent on public assistance.