Tag Archives: wsb

Officials with Workforce Solutions Borderplex announced Friday that registration is now open for the 3rd cohort of the final opportunity for Borderplex residents to take part in the Cybersecurity Technology Certification Training program that is free for selected participants.

The 3rd cohort will run from August 19, 2019 through November 11, 2019, Monday through Friday, from 9 am – 4 pm each day. Candidates who currently do not have a full-time work commitment are encouraged to apply for the program.

Candidates can now register to take an assessment test to qualify for entrance into the 3rd cohort from now through Friday, August 2, 2019.

The final campaign of the Workforce Solutions’ Cybersecurity training program will offer a suite of (5) IT security certificates that build an individual’s capacity to work in the cybersecurity field.

This is the 3rd of three (12)-week training cohorts that will provide candidates with the necessary skills required to pass the five, IT-recognized, highly-coveted cybersecurity certifications in IT fundamentals, A+, Network+, Security+, and CSA+.

This training program is targeted to adults; students; veterans, transitioning soldiers, and military spouses; and currently unemployed and underemployed professionals.

To successfully complete the program, candidates must be ready to pass the 5 certification tests.  WSB officials say it “is an intense IT training” that will require candidates to:

• Possess an aptitude for IT, with the ability to pass an IT Fundamentals assessment with a 65% passage rate
• Candidates will need to prove their right to work in the U.S. by providing eligible documents
• Candidates will need to commit to near perfect attendance while undergoing the program
• Candidates will not be able to be currently employed in a typical Monday-Friday, 9-5 job during the training program, due to the program’s strict attendance requirement and rigorous course of study

Candidates interested in taking part in the 3rd cohort of the cybersecurity training program must sign up to take an IT Fundamentals exam on the registration page, which can be found here and they can find more information about the program on the Workforce Solutions Borderplex website.

The test registration period for the 3rd cohort will be open until Friday, August 2, 2019. Potential candidates must pass the IT Fundamentals exam with a score of 65% or higher.

From there, candidates will undergo an interview process, must pass a WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) eligibility screening, and agree to seek a job in the IT field upon program completion.

For more information about the Cybersecurity Technology Certification Training program, please contact Natalie Littlefield at Natalie.littlefield@borderplexjobs.com.

On Friday morning, Workforce Solutions Borderplex (WSB) officials announced that they had been awarded $25,000 in grant funding from Bank of America in support for the HireElPaso Summer Youth Program.

“Workforce Solutions Borderplex is honored to receive this funding from Bank of America.  This grant will allow us to place even more out-of-school students into summer jobs and provide them with good work experience they can build upon,” said Leila Melendez, COO of Workforce Solutions Borderplex.

“Bank of America understands and shares our urgency in providing youth with foundational skills that will help them successfully transition into the workforce. The work experience these youth will obtain will provide them with a great competitive advantage for their future.”

The Hire El Paso Youth Work Program puts regional youth to work in real jobs setting them on a path to be successful and workforce-ready.   It subsidizes 100 percent of a paid work experience for 100 youth between the ages of 16-24, for 20-40 hours a week and for up to 12 weeks.  Youth must meet eligibility requirements, which can be found online.

“Bank of America is proud to support Workforce Solutions Borderplex’s vital work in El Paso through our Summer Youth Employment grant. Established to provide youth with opportunities for workforce development, this annual grant is an important component of our efforts to improve economic mobility in the communities we serve,” said Kristi Marcum, Market President for Bank of America.

“Together, with Workforce Solutions Borderplex, we look forward to closing the skills-based education gap and building the community’s younger workforce.”

For more information on Bank of America’s commitment to youth success, please visit their website.

On Monday, officials with he Borderplex Alliance and The City of El Paso announced that Teleperformance is opening an operations center in the Sun City.

Dee Margo, Mayor of El Paso, said, “We’re grateful to Teleperformance for selecting El Paso. Since day one of my administration I’ve been focused on bringing jobs to El Paso. With near-record low unemployment in El Paso and a string of great companies headed to the region, we are proud to welcome Teleperformance.”

Teleperformance, essentially a customer call center, describes themselves as “the global leader in outsourced omnichannel customer experience management.”  According to their website, they operate in 80 countries worldwide.

Jon Barela, CEO, The Borderplex Alliance, said, “Economic development is competitive. It’s a victory when a company moves to our region, but when a company commits to hiring over 1,100 people in our community, there is much to celebrate.”

There was no word on the exact date that Teleperformance would be opening their doors, but officials with Borderplex Alliance shared that the company would be “seeking customer-oriented, and highly motivated employees.”

Travis Coates, Chief Operations Office, Teleperformace USA and Canada, said “We’re excited to come to El Paso. To be a leader in customer experience, you must hire the best people. That is what attracted us to El Paso. This community has a great workforce with the skills and the positive work attitude we are looking for. We thank The City of El Paso and The Borderplex Alliance for their help. We can’t wait to open our doors.”

For more information on Teleperformance, visit their website.

Workforce Solutions Borderplex officials announced Friday the return of their El Paso Summer Youth Employment initiatives, helping to put the youth of the region to work.

WSB, along with their partners Medical Center of the Americas, Goodman Financial, and Career and Technical Education program of Ysleta Independent School District launched the 2019 season of Hire El Paso Youth Summer Work Program, Summer Earn & Learn, and the Texas Internship Challenge.

“The Board of Directors of Workforce Solutions Borderplex and I salute our local business partners who have already committed to take part in this season’s Summer Youth Employment campaign by opening their worksites to youth to provide important business mentorship and life experiences,” shared Joyce Wilson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Borderplex.

“With unemployment rates at record lows and a growing demand for talent in the Borderplex region, it is critical that we focus on the future workforce pipeline by reaching out to students as they graduate from high school, or while they are still in college, to provide practical work experience in their field of study or area of interest in an effort to foster this young talent and encourage them to build fruitful careers in our region.”

These impactful programs put regional youth to work; providing first-time, real job experience that sets youth on a path to be successful and workforce-ready.

The Hire El Paso Youth Work Program* will subsidize 100 percent of a paid work experience for 100 youth between the ages of 16-24, for 20-40 hours a week and for up to 12 weeks.

Summer Earn & Learn Program* will subsidize 100 percent of the paid work experience for 85 youth with disabilities between the ages of 16-22, for 30 hours a week and for up to 7 weeks.

*For Hire El Paso Work Program and Summer Earn & Learn, youth must meet eligibility requirements, which can be found online.

The Texas Internship Challenge, a partnership between the Texas Workforce Commission, the Texas Education Agency and the Higher Education Coordinating Board, aims to increase and promote paid internships for students with Texas employers.

For employer participation in the Texas Internship Challenge, employers must commit to covering the costs for the internships.

The Summer Youth Employment campaign is a win-win for all involved, as employers will benefit from having a motivated, young adult in their workplace, while giving them a crucial, career-building opportunity.

Employers who take part in the Summer Earn & Learn Program will also receive insights and recommendations as to how to best serve customers with disabilities and learn how to easily adapt workplaces to employ persons with disabilities.

“The Summer Youth Employment programs have a far-reaching impact on our region, that builds a pipeline for the local workforce, with many youth returning to the same employer for multiple years,” WSB officials added via a news release.

“The summer job opportunities also provide valuable life lessons for the youth such as learning the importance of attendance and punctuality; articulating themselves professionally in a workplace setting; and learning how to accept direction and constructive criticism.”

Workforce Solutions Borderplex is subsidizing 185 positions for regional youth in these special summer employment programs.

For more information:

Hire El Paso Youth Summer Work Program – StreetTeam@borderplexjobs.com or (915) 887-2600

Summer Earn & Learn – StreetTeam@borderplexjobs.com or (915) 887-2600

Texas Internship Challenge – Visit www.txinternshipchallenge.com for program details.

The following businesses have committed to hosting youth for the 2019 campaign:

• Alderperson Place 2, City of San Elizario
• Bell 2 Bell
• Bella Luna Engineering
• Counter Tops Plus Inc.
• CVIA Insurance Agency
• Designer’s Mart
• Diaz Services Heating & Cooling
• El Paso’s Sweet Shop & Bakery
• JP’s Industrial
• Justice of the Peace John Chatman
• La Posada Home
• Lee Wrangler Clearance Center
• Metro PCS
• Mexus Inc
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
• Personnel Partners
• Project Vida
• Representative Alejandra Anello-District 2 Central
• Representative Cassandra Hernandez-District 3
• Representative Henry Rivera-District 7
• Sandra Serna-State Farm Insurance Company
• Technimark
• The Hospitals of Providence-Eastside Campus
• The Hospitals of Providence-Memorial Campus
• The Hospitals of Providence-Sierra Campus
• The Hospitals of Providence-Transmountain Campus
• Time Clock Sales & Service
• UTOPIA
• Walgreens
• West-Tex customer payroll & marketing

For employers who would like to host a youth for the summer in their workplace, please contact Business@borderplexjobs.com or (915) 887-2332.

The STTE (Success Through Technology Education) Foundation, in collaboration with Workforce Solutions Borderplex, and a host of other business and community sponsors, revealed the winners of the 2019 STEAMx (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) Competitions.

Earlier this month, eight student teams were recognized at an inspirational awards ceremony to celebrate the winners of the STEAMx Competitions. The STEAMx Competitions challenged the area’s high school students to take STEAM applications and apply them to innovative, real-word project-based competitions.

Hundreds of students faced off in duels of coding, math challenges, designing smart tiny houses, chess matches, and 3-D competitions. The region’s brightest students diligently worked for months on their projects where prize money and bragging rights were up for grabs in their STEM specialties, as they once again came together to share innovative ideas with their peers.

For the last 10 years, the STEAMx events have captivated and engaged more than 16,000 of the Borderplex region’s youth. The event is specially developed to increase students’ awareness of the opportunities that exist in STEAM-oriented education and careers.

Officials say the 10th anniversary theme of “Are you Creating STEAM?” commemorates 10 years of “capturing Generation Z’s zest for tech and the arts, with organizers and event supporters celebrating all the students who have benefitted from this event and have made great strides in the STEM world.”

In conjunction with the 2019 STEAMx corporate sponsors, the STTE Foundation and Workforce Solutions Borderplex are pleased to announce the following STEAMx Competition and scholarship winners:

Hunt Smart Tiny VR House – 1st place – Burges High School and El Paso High School – $4,000

• William Pyle
• Thaily Rodriquez
• Monica Delgadillo
• David Mullings
• Erick Garcia
• Joseph Horak

Sigma Java Coding – 1st place – Canutillo High School – $2,000

• Christopher Lawson
• Aya Abdelgawad

Microsoft Business App – 1st place – Burges High School – $2,000

• Andrew Vergara
• Nathean Flores

Western Tech Southwest 4×4 Challenge – $2,000 – 1st place – El Paso High School

• Frida Garcia
• Erick Garcia
• Joseph Horak
• Elian Huerta
• Sebastian Moreno

FabLab El Paso Makerspace Challenge

1st place – Coronado High School T-Birds – $1,000

• Mikayla Pitts
• Peter Moshaver

VEX Robotics

1st place – Young Women’s Leadership Academy and Bel Air Middle School

The Prudential Foundation Math Challenge:

Prudential Math Counts – 1st place – Marfa High School Mathletes – $3,000

• Samuel Salgado Martinez
• Aubrie Aguilar
• Dimetrey Stewart
• Alexandire Luna

2nd place -Parkland High School Aces – $1,000

• Tyrone McDuffie
• Angelika Obonan
• Alyssa Ortiz-Rodriguez
• Mykel Merritt

Prudential Math Challenge  – 1st place – Riverside High School – $3,000

• Francisco Ontiveros
• Ashley De La Rosa
• Edna Rodriguez
• Karemy Cruz
• Raul Ramos

2nd place – El Paso High – $1,000

• Isabella Morales
• Cassandra Wagoner
• Francesco Sanchez
• Santiago Costemalle

Scholarships $1,000

• Joseph Horak, EPISD, $1,000
• Lauren Byrd, EPISD, $1,000
• Alexis Rodriquez, YISD, $1,000
• Selaine Rodriguez, YISD, $1,000
• Angel Garcia, YISD, $1,000
• Nathaniel Irrobali, SISD, $1,000
• Kevin Joan Moreno, HARMONY, $1,000
• Jose Bernal, HARMONY, $1,000
• Aya Abdelgawed, CANUTILLO, $1,000
• Evelyn Alvarez $1,000
• Michael O’Bannon $1,000

Officials with Workforce Solutions Borderplex (WSB) are looking for quotes from instructors in home-based entrepreneurship, Industry-Specific Conversational Spanish, and Financial Health course instructors for a unique summer work opportunity.

WSB is seeking quotes from on-call, summer, part-time, adjunct instructors to provide a range of short-term courses in Financial Health, Home-Based Entrepreneurship and Industry-Specific Technical Spanish Courses, to a diverse range of students including adult job seekers, college students, military spouses, etc.

“One of WSB’s main roles in the Borderplex region is to provide job seekers with the necessary skillsets to help them be successful in their job or career search and eliminate barriers to employment,” WSB officials shared.

“WSB wants unemployed adults, students, military spouses, and others to recognize they can have an impact on the community economically by circumventing traditional roadblocks such as work scheduling, childcare, and elderly caregiving costs. These three topic areas are very relevant and marketable skills that will help job seekers be competitive, especially in the Borderplex region.”

Course instructors interested in submitting a quote for services to take part in this unique summer work opportunity, should log onto the WSB website, then view under Informal Requests, to view the position’s specifications/scope to learn more about the services WSB is seeking.

Quotes are due no later than May 17, 2019 by 2:00 p.m. MST via the e-mail address listed in the RFQ documentation.  A W-9 should be included.

For more information about the (3) Requests for Quotes, please contact Alondra McDuffie at alondra.mcduffie@borderplexjobs.com

Workforce Solutions Borderplex (WSB) will be connecting residents with some of the areas most coveted seasonal jobs and valuable employers at the 2019 Spring Hiring Fair.

Job seekers exploring employment in the Advanced Manufacturing, Advanced Logistics, Defense & Aerospace, and Construction industries are encouraged to join WSB for this event.

WSB officials share that the fair is a free event and is open to all job seekers. Over 45 employers have confirmed attendance at this event.

The Spring Hiring Fair will enable job seekers to connect one-on-one with some of the region’s most in-demand employers and learn more about what these companies are seeking in candidates.

Job seekers are advised to come dressed to impress and with plenty of copies of their resume for employers to review.

2019 Spring Hiring Fair  –  The Radisson Hotel  |  1770 Airway Boulevard

Wednesday, April 10, 2019  |  9 am – 1 pm

These are the confirmed employers who will be present at the event:

• Allied Universal Security Services
• Belt Con Construction
• Blackstone Security Services Inc.
• Brokers Logistics
• Caseem Staffing Services
• Coastal Transportation
• Custom Crates & Pallets, LTD
• CWR Trucking
• DEA
• Designer’s Mart
• Dynamic Tool Co.
• El Paso Community College (Police Academy)
• El Paso County Sheriff’s Office
• El Paso Fire Department
• El Paso Police Department
• Empire Truck Lines Inc
• Erives Enterprises
• Gamer Logistics
• Green Bay Packaging
• Handgards
• HG Arias & Associates
• IBEW Local 583
• Instaff
• Integrity Asset Management
• ITSQUEST INC
• Jobe Materials
• Jordan Foster Construction
• Labormax Staffing
• Lone Wolf Trucking
• Manpower
• Mesilla Valley Transportation
• Munoz Trucking
• MV Transit
• Project Amistad
• Readyone Industries
• Resource MFG/Prologistix
• RM Personnel
• Schneider Electric
• Securitas
• Sky Transportation
• Solrac Corp.
• Southwest Freightlines
• Sun City Security
• Sun Metro
• Technical Sewing
• Texas Department of Criminal Justice
• Texas Veterans Leadership Program
• Triple A Glass Inc
• TVC
• TxDOT
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• UniFirst Uniform Services
• Veliz Construction
• Volt Workforce Solutions
• Wild West Express
• Wyler Industrial Works

Officials with Workforce Solutions Borderplex announced the opening of registration for the 2nd cohort of the final opportunity for area residents to take part in the award-winning Cybersecurity Technology Certification Training program that is free for selected participants.

Students can now register to take an assessment test to qualify for entrance into the second cohort from March 14, 2019 through May 10, 2019.

The final campaign of the Workforce Solutions’ Cybersecurity training program will offer a suite of (5) IT security certificates that build an individual’s capacity to work in the cybersecurity field.

This is the second of three (12)-week training cohorts that will provide candidates with the necessary skills required to pass the five, IT-recognized, highly-coveted cybersecurity certifications in IT fundamentals, A+, Network+, Security+, and CSA+. This training program is targeted to adults; students; veterans, transitioning soldiers, and military spouses; and currently unemployed and underemployed professionals.

The second cohort will run from May 20, 2019 through August 12, 2019, where classes will meet Monday through Friday, from 9 am – 4 pm each day, so candidates who currently do not have a full-time work commitment are encouraged to apply for the program.

The Cybersecurity Technology Certification Training program requires a full-time commitment from candidates in order for them to successfully complete the training and be ready to pass the 5 certification tests.

The IT training will require candidates to:

             Possess an aptitude for IT, with the ability to pass an IT Fundamentals assessment with a 65% passage rate

             Candidates will need to prove their right to work in the U.S. by providing eligible documents

             Candidates will need to commit to near perfect attendance while undergoing the program

             Candidates will not be able to be currently employed in a typical Monday-Friday, 9-5 job during the training program, due to the program’s strict attendance requirement and rigorous course of study

Candidates interested in taking part in the 2nd cohort of the cybersecurity training program must sign up to take an IT Fundamentals exam on the registration page, which can be found here online and they can find more information about the program on the Workforce Solutions Borderplex website.

The test registration period for the second cohort will be open until May 10th. Potential candidates must pass the IT Fundamentals exam with a score of 65% or higher. From there, candidates will undergo an interview process, must pass a WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) eligibility screening, and agree to seek a job in the IT field upon program completion.

For more information about the Cybersecurity Technology Certification Training program, please contact Natalie Littlefield at Natalie.littlefield@borderplexjobs.com.

Eaton El Paso, working in partnership with Workforce Solutions Borderplex (WSB), is promoting a series of open positions in their El Paso location.

Eaton El Paso’s Electrical Division has opened a new manufacturing facility in El Paso with first shift production and salaried positions open.

Positions ranging from Production Associate to Sr. Electrical Test Technician to Quality Inspector are open for candidates to apply.  For a full list of opportunities go to Eaton’s website and search for El Paso.

Via a news release, WSB officials share, “Eaton offers competitive benefits and professional growth opportunities for their employees.  They create an environment where creativity, invention and discovery become a reality, each and every day; where bold, bright professionals can reach their full potential.”

Just last November, Eaton announced the opening of their El Paso manufacturing location, along with the new positions.  At the time of the announcement, Mayor Dee Margo touted the benefit of the new plant in the Borderland.

“Eaton Corporation will be an exceptional addition to our local business community. In addition to creating 200 jobs, Eaton will invest over $15 million dollars into our regional economy. Our economic development strategy is in full effect and we are seeing result after result. Companies are recognizing El Paso as a premier place to work, play and visit. We must continue our progress and attract more jobs, more investment, and better opportunities for the people of El Paso,”  Mayor Margo said.

For more information about the positions or to apply, visit the Work In Texas website.

Workforce Solutions Borderplex (WSB), in partnership with the City of El Paso, will be moving its Downtown Center into a new location at the Main Library (501 North Oregon) on September 4, 2018.

Via a news release, WSB officials said, “We will now be able to offer our expert array of career and job placement services inside the Main Library that will enable both organizations to merge resources and provide El Pasoans with a centralized location to receive support and career guidance in their pursuit of seeking gainful employment.”

WSB and the Main Library are entering into a 3-year agreement where the Main Library will house a satellite WSB Job Center outfitted with 4 WSB job counselors and computer workstations for job seekers to utilize for job hunting, training and upskilling preparation.

To prepare for the move, the Workforce Solutions Downtown Center will begin shutting down its operations and alerting clients to the move the week of August 20, 2018, in preparation for its move to the Main Library.

The last day of business at its current location at 300 East Main Street will be on Friday, August 24, 2018.

The new Workforce Solutions Borderplex Job Center, located on the first floor of the Main Library, will open on Tuesday, September 4, 2018.

During the 1-week transition of moving locations, clients can seek WSB’s services at any of our other five Workforce Centers in El Paso. For a complete listing of WSB locations, please visit their website.

For more information about the new partnership and the new Workforce Solutions Borderplex Job Center, please contact Romie Ruiz at (915) 887-2221.

Workforce Solutions Borderplex (WSB), in partnership with Burlington, will be hosting a special hiring event at the North Loop Workforce Solutions Center this week.

The hiring event will be held on August 1, 2 & 3, 2018,  at WSB’s North Loop Center. According to WSB officials, the event is being held to hire 130 retail positions.

Representatives from Burlington (formerly Burlington Coat Factory) will be on-site at Workforce Solutions to conduct same-day interviews for those who qualify.

WSB Officials say candidates should bring copies of their resume and come dressed to impress.  For more information, please call (915) 230-2515 or visit www.workintexas.com.

Burlington Hiring Event

August 1, 2, & 3, 2018  |  9 am – 5 pm

North Loop Center  |  8825 North Loop, Suite 122

Workforce Solutions Borderplex (WSB) was recognized at the 2018 Annual CompTIA Partner Summit for excellence in IT Workforce Innovation in its dynamic CompTIA Cyber-Security Technology Certification program.

The annual CompTIA Partner Summit recognizes various corporate and educational partners from around the globe for their tremendous work and contributions in providing unique upskilling opportunities for youth and adults. Leila Melendez, Chief Operating Officer for WSB, accepted this prestigious honor on behalf of WSB.

The award recognized the organization for their innovative efforts in building a public private partnership with the support of WSB’s most generous partner, Wells Fargo, to fund the CompTIA Cyber-Security Technology Certification program. The program also received matching funds through the Texas Industry Partnership grant.

The first of its kind offered in the Borderplex region, the CompTIA Cyber-Security Technology Certification program challenged veterans and transitioning soldiers to complete an intense, customized 12-week training program that would prepare them to earn the five highly-coveted, IT-recognized certifications in IT fundamentals, A+, Network+, Security+, and CSA+.

“Wells Fargo recognizes and appreciates these veterans’ qualities and what they bring to the workforce. We could not be prouder to support WBS and this specific program, helping veterans and transitioning soldiers work towards achieving their dreams in the civilian world,” said Region Bank President for Wells Fargo in South Texas & El Paso, Alma Ortega-Johnson. “This opportunity also serves as a remarkable pipeline of talent that will hopefully help us reach our goal of 20,000 veteran team members by 2020.”

As cybersecurity becomes a greater focus at the state, federal and international levels of government, and with the Texas Cybersecurity Act becoming public law in 2017, the value of a CompTIA certificate has become an instrumental tool for IT experts.

Twenty-eight of the thirty program graduates earned all (5) of the highly-coveted IT cybersecurity certifications; each program participant has been job placed; and the overall group has an average starting salary of $55,000.

For more information about CompTIA Cyber-Security Technology Certification program, please contact Romie Ruiz at (915) 887-2221.

Workforce Solutions Borderplex (WSB) is actively seeking dynamic employers to take part in its two Fall 2018 JobCon events for Far West and Far East El Paso County.

Geared towards high school students, the JobCon Series provides a platform where Borderplex youth learn about the in-demand careers of the Borderplex region from the actual workers employed by some of the most coveted businesses.

Companies who are interested in taking part in one of the JobCon events must bring an engaging interactive exhibit where students can get hands-on experience in that industry. JobCons provide a wonderful opportunity for local employers to engage with their community, mentor youth, and showcase and highlight the impactful elements of their work.

The JobCon Series was developed to captivate the interest and educate high school students in the Borderplex region about the high-demand careers that are available in their communities. Students will leave this event knowledgeable about the diverse range of career opportunities available in their area, as well as the skills needed to acquire these jobs.

The deadline for businesses to register to take part in the JobCon Series is August 6, 2018.

For more information on how to take part in the Far West and Far East JobCon Series, please contact the Business Services Unit at 915-887-2332 or at Business@borderplexjobs.com.

Far East JobCon

Thursday, August 30, 2018

Venue is in Fabens, TX

Target school audiences – Fabens, Tornillo, Clint, Fort Hancock

 ***

Far West JobCon

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Venue – TBD

Target school audiences – Anthony, Canutillo, Vinton

On Monday, Workforce Solutions Borderplex (WSB) announced the launch the organization’s newest resource website – www.HowtoPickaCareer.com – which offers visitors the opportunity to explore a series of exciting and interactive tools that walk users through what it will take to make career dreams a reality.

Via a news release, WSB officials said, “Students, parents and educators will marvel at the wealth of insightful information found on the  website…Brilliant infographic cards can be downloaded to learn more about the hottest jobs in the seven target industries of the Borderplex region.”

Once on the site, users can take a ‘virtual reality’ tour of some of the region’s most in-demand careers to explore the daily experiences of these professionals.  A series of Interactive Pathways lead users on a fundamental journey through the education and job roles required to career success.

Also linked to this site is the Texas Career Check website that offers students incredible tools they can utilize, such as taking a quiz to figure out where interests lie or what are the latest trends by occupation.  With the Texas Reality Check meter, students can test their knowledge on what a dream life will truly cost them in real life.

Workforce Solutions Borderplex’ HowtoPickaCareer.com (HTPC) was developed as a resource supplement from a Texas Labor Market and Career Information grant from the Texas Workforce Commission.

HTPC’s product offerings range from an online career information delivery system, to a toll-free career information hotline, to a variety of specialized economic development and regional planning tools.  Each of these end-user products is buttressed by applied academic research on Texas labor market dynamics.

HTPC also offers a collection of hardcopy and online labor market, career and follow-up information products as well.

According to the ACT Research & Policy Brief article, “Education and Career Navigation: Critical for Student Progress and Success”, studies show that individuals who develop education and career navigation knowledge and skills are likely to have expanded education and career opportunities.  These students will make education and career decisions that better fit their needs, it will increase their motivation to learn and achieve, and they are more likely to experience more positive outcomes both in school and work settings.

Workforce Solutions also encourages educators to download the Seven Target Industries infographic cards and the 2018 Hot Jobs report online, as supplies are limited.  For more information about the website and the Labor Market Career Information, please contact Natalie Littlefield via email.

Workforce Solutions Borderplex (WSB) is looking for local businesses to join in the 2018 season of the El Paso Summer Youth Employment, also known as Hire El Paso’s Youth, which strives to put regional youth to work.

Via a news release, WSB officials say, “This impactful program provides first-time, real job experience that sets youth on a path to be successful and workforce-ready.”

To that end, Workforce Solutions has launched two youth employment initiatives for summer 2018: Hire El Paso Youth Work Program and the Earn & Learn Program.

The Hire El Paso Work Program will subsidize 100 percent of a paid work experience for 100 youth between the ages of 16-24 for 20-40 hours a week and for up to 12 weeks.

Earn & Learn Program, will subsidize 100 percent of the paid work experience for 85 youth with disabilities between the ages of 14-22 for 30 hours a week and for up to 7 weeks.

For either program, participating youth must meet specific requirements.

Employers participating in the Earn & Learn Program will receive insights and recommendations as to how to best serve customers with disabilities and learn how to easily adapt workplaces to employ persons with disabilities.

WSB officials add, “Overall, employers will benefit from having a motivated, young adult in their workplace, while giving them a crucial career-building opportunity.  Hire El Paso’s Youth has a far-reaching impact on our region, that builds a pipeline for the local workforce, with many youth returning to the same employer for multiple years.”

The summer job opportunities also provide valuable life lessons for the youth such as learning the importance of attendance and punctuality; articulating themselves professionally in a workplace setting; and learning how to accept direction and constructive criticism.

Employer mentors who have taken part in the program in previous years indicate that the mentorship time they spend with their young employees is critical to the future success of our community and increases their own engagement in their work.

For more information on how businesses can take part in the El Paso Summer Youth Employment programs,  contact the Business Services Unit at 915-887-2332 or at Business@borderplexjobs.com.