November/December 2011

Workforce Solutions Wins $25,000 Service to Business Award

Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas received the $25,000 Service to Business Award from the Texas Workforce Commission for partnering with Waco Transit to develop the LINK bus service between Waco businesses and workers from rural communities. Heart of Texas sought a Federal Transit Administration Job Access and Reverse Commute grant to support the creation of a public transit system with late evening service to rural communities. Heart of Texas secured financial contributions from 14 partners to meet the required local match. Today the service provides more than 1,500 monthly trips and is already helping to decrease absenteeism for area employers.

“Local workforce boards are at their best when they support and facilitate the efforts of private employers,” said TWC Chairman Tom Pauken. “I wish to commend Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas for their commitment to develop creative solutions in their region. Their partnership has benefited the local community, employers, and job seekers.”

Pictured L-R: Andres Alcantar (TWC), Keith Stanford (Workforce Solutions), John Fry (Workforce Solutions), Diane Cowan (Workforce Solutions), Anthony Billings (Workforce Solutions), Ted Tavares (Workforce Solutions), Ronald G. Congleton (TWC), Ron Bowlin (Workforce Solutions), Tom Pauken (TWC)

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Associated Hygienic Products and NRG Energy Inc. Honored at Texas Workforce Conference

Nominated by Workforce Solutions, Associated Hygienic Products LLC (AHP) was honored as a finalist for the Employer of the Year Award at the Texas Workforce Commission’s (TWC) 15th Annual Texas Workforce Conference held November 30 – December 2 in Houston. The Award is given to employers that exemplify the tremendous results that are possible when public and private entities partner to put people back to work. Also, NRG Energy Inc. (NRG) was honored NRG received the Employer Award of Excellence, which honors an organization that is actively involved with Texas Workforce Solutions and has made a positive impact on employers, workers and the community.

Using the Texas Back to Work program, AHP hired 23 individuals this year who had been receiving unemployment benefits. AHP started production last year with 173 employees, and now has more than 220 employees and plans to add up to 50 new positions by the end of 2011. Additionally, AHP employees received more than 7,964 training hours through a $304,948 Skills Development Fund grant from the Texas Workforce Commission.

NRG operates the Limestone Electrical Generating Station in Limestone County, employing 250 full-time workers. Faced with an aging workforce, NRG partnered with Navarro College to create 31 hours of dual college-credit courses to certify high school students in power plant management and operations, growing an applicant pool from which to fill its anticipated vacancies.

Pictured L-R:
Top Row: Workforce Solutions Representatives Joe Moore, Anthony Billings, Ted Taveras, Ron Bowlin, Keith Stanford
Bottom Row: Rene Clayton, Ralph Lujan , Andrea Valero, Chris Klesse (AHP), Josh Griffen (AHP), John Fry

Pictured L-R:
Top Row: Workforce Solutions Representatives Joe Moore, Anthony Billings, Ted Taveras, Ron Bowlin, Keith Stanford
Bottom Row: Rene Clayton, Ralph Lujan , Andrea Valero, John Fry (NRG & Workforce Solutions), David Knox (NRG), Jerry Strouds (NRG)

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Commitment to Excellence

Workforce Solutions received this letter from one of our partner organizations commending the hard work and commitment to excellence of Workforce Solutions’ staff member Yesenia Munoz.

Dear Workforce Solutions,

I wanted to let you know about the special attention that one of your staff paid to a Vietnam Veteran. This veteran was recently laid off and began his employment search again. However, he wanted to move out of state to be near family. This week he finally received the paperwork he needed to move to California.

Ms. Yesenia Munoz assisted [our customer] with locating the employment program in California, registering, and finding suitable work that he matched within that system – even further, she also made contact with an employment representative for this veteran to contact once he has moved to California. Thank you to your staff for providing customer service excellence!

Very Respectfully,
Kelly Cameron
Texas Veterans Commission

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