Annual Report2016

Building a Stronger Texas Workforce

Our MissionThe mission of the South Plains workforce system is to meet the needs of the region’s employers for a highly skilled workforce by

educating and preparing workers.

Our VisionOur workforce is educated, innovative, and highly skilled in areas that match

the skill requirements of our employers, enabling businesses to become highly productive and compete successfully in local and global markets.

strategy

partn

ersh

ips creative

success

Innovation

commitment

Skilled

CAREERproductive

Workforce

community

train

ing

Connecting

Opportunities

Employment

Excellence

dilig

ent

network

advance

quality

educated

Chief Elected

Offi

cials

Board of Directors

Wesley AndersonFloyd County

Rob BlairHockley County

Gary BorenLubbock County

Denver BrunerHockley County

Lynda DuttonLubbock County

Dela Esqueda Lubbock County

Angela EvinsLamb County

Donnie GatlinLubbock County

Kimberly HarrelYoakum County

Sharla WellsGarza County

Dr. Theresa WilliamsLubbock County

Adele YoungrenLubbock County

Nancy KernellHale County

Eddie McBrideLubbock County

Kevin McConicLubbock County

Willis McCutcheonHale County

Beth MillerLubbock County

Dr. Juan MuñozLubbock County

John OsborneLubbock County

Esther PenaLubbock County

Barry PittmanLynn County

Kenneth Hill, ChairCochran County

Adrienne Cozart, Vice-ChairLubbock County

Jeff Malpiede, SecretaryLubbock County

Ken Sanderson, Past ChairLubbock County

Judge Sherri Harrison Bailey County

Judge Pat Henry Cochran County

Judge David Wigley Crosby County

Judge Kevin Brendle Dickens County

Judge Marty Lucke Floyd County

Judge Lee NormanGarza County

Judge Bill Coleman Hale County

Judge Sharla BaldridgeHockley County

Judge Duane Daniel King County

Judge Mike DeLoach Lamb County

Judge Tom HeadLubbock County

Mayor Dan PopeCity of Lubbock

Judge Mike Braddock Lynn County

Judge Jim MeadorMotley County

Judge Jackie D. WagnerTerry County

Judge Jim Barron Yoakum County

David QuintanillaLubbock County

Gilbert SalazarLubbock County

Chuck SmithBailey County

Joe ThackerDickens County

Leonard ValderazLubbock County

Tom VermillionLubbock County

Dr. Kyle WargoLubbock County

Serving 15 Counties Across the South Plains

Serving Bailey, Cochran, Crosby, Dickens, Floyd, Garza, Hale, Hockley, King, Lamb, Lubbock, Lynn, Motley, Terry, and Yoakum counties.

70

87

87

87

70 

8484

84

82 380 380

380

84

82

84

82

83

385

385

385

70

6282

6282

6270

70

70

70

207

207

207

214

214

214

214

137

114

114

114

214

27

27

87

62

MuleshoeEarth

Olton

Plainview

Lockney

Floydada

Matador

Roaring Springs

Dickens

Spur

GuthrieCrosbyton

Ralls

Lorenzo

Idalou

Slaton

Lubbock

Shallowater

PostTahokaBrownfieldPlains

Denver City

Wellman

Meadow

Levelland

White Face

Morton

Needmore

Enochs

Littlefield

Sudan

Hale Center

Abernathy

Wolfforth

O’Donnell

YOAKUM TERRY LYNN GARZA

COCHRAN

HOCKLEY LUBBOCK CROSBY DICKENS KING

MOTLEYFLOYD

HALELAMB

BAILEY

203 S. Main St.Muleshoe 79347.

1700 Hall AvenueLittlefield 79339

1001 N IH27 Ste 228Plainview 79072

1102 AustinLevelland 79336

1321-B Tahoka Rd.Brownfield 79316

1218 14th St.Lubbock 79401

701 E. Lee StreetFloydada 79235

224 S. BerkshireCrosbyton 79332

15 County AreaWorkforce Centers/Satellite Offices

Board Administration1301 Broadway, Suite 201Lubbock, Tx 79401Phone: 806-744-1987Fax: 806-744-5378

Equal Opportunity Employer Auxiliary aids & services available upon request to individuals with disabilities TDD/TTY 1-800-735-2989

EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING SERVICES www.spworkforce.org

Bringing opportunity and people together

WORKFORCESolutionsS O U T H P L A I N S

South Hwy 84Post 79456

1301 Broadway Ste 201Lubbock 79401

South Hwy 84Post 79456500 N Ave. CDenver City 79323

Building a Stronger Texas Workforce

We have made it our mission to provide the resources and tools our region’s employers and employees need to develop and support a thriving workforce development system. Our primary focus is preparing our region’s workforce to meet the labor demands of these employers by providing them with a world-class talent pool. From on-the-job training, to labor market analysis for business growth, as well as child care assistance, our organization offers many direct and support services for business owners and job seekers. The prosperity of any community depends on the strength of its workforce system. We are extremely proud of our community and the connections we have helped strengthen and build. We have had a year filled with new challenges and changes, and we are proud of the success we have had with tackling these new projects. We are forever grateful to our wonderful partners, and anyone who has helped in our endeavors. It has been a wonderful year, and we look forward to the success the New Year will bring.

Chief Executive Officer

Board Chair

Martin Aguirre

Kenneth Hill

Area School Districts to Receive Funding Support for Career & Technical Education Programs Workforce Solutions South Plains, Lubbock Economic Development Alliance (LEDA), and the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) partnered twice on two separate occasions to leverage funds and grant six area school districts a total of $158,000 (first round) and a total of $165,000 (second round) to assist in enhancing and maximizing the capacity of various Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. The first grant runs from February 2015 through April 2017, and the second grant runs from February 2016 through April 2017. This effort is known as the South Plains High Demand Job Training Project (HDJT Grant). “Through this collaboration, we are able to prepare students for future success by providing them training and opportunities in high-demand occupations,” TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar said. “These partnerships benefit not only the students, but also the community and local employers- everybody wins.” Listed below are the school districts and their programs that will be funded: (First Round)• Lorenzo ISD – Auto CAD• Lubbock Cooper ISD – Welding• Lubbock ISD – Health Sciences• Roosevelt ISD – Welding• Slaton ISD – Welding • Idalou ISD – Small Engine/Construction (Second Round)• Frenship ISD – Automotive Technology• Idalou ISD – Small Engine Repair and Construction Trades• Lubbock ISD – Precision Metal Working• Lubbock Cooper ISD – Computer Programming/Robotics• Ralls ISD – Welding• Slaton ISD – Culinary Arts• Shallowater ISD – Automotive Technology and Health Sciences Funds will be used to cover the costs of accrediting new programs and increase capacity to enable the schools to train an increased number of students now and in years to come. Participants successfully completing the training will earn industry-recognized credentials in high-demand occupations as well as college credit upon high school graduation.

Mobile Career Center The Workforce Solutions South Plains Mobile Unit is a 29 foot vehicle with 7 work stations that has served more than 100 job seekers in the rural areas of the South Plains Region since its launch in May of 2016. These rural areas cover the following cities: Plains, Spur, Dickens, Crosbyton, Tahoka, Ralls, Lorenzo, Morton, Denver City, Post, and Floydada. Since its debut, the Mobile Unit has participated in various South Plains Community and agency partner events. Workforce Mobile Unit Staff offer a variety of services, including staff-guided job search via the Work in Texas system, aid with resume and cover letter preparation, and providing information about available job training opportunities through Workforce Solutions South Plains. Workforce Mobile Unit Staff also provide known resource information for various organizations throughout the South Plains Region upon request. The Mobile Unit is Handicap accessible, and it provides internet and printing/copying services to participants.

Mobile Career Center provides:

• Work registration with www.WorkInTexas.com

• Online job search and job matching services

• Access to Resume Writing programs

• Information on Training & Child Care Services

• Information on Adult • Education & Literacy Programs• Handicap accessible

(wheelchair lift & workstation)• Printing/Copy Services

High Demand Job Training Grant

“I am so proud to announce that we had 7 out of 10 (70%) students pass the Automotive Electrical Student ASE exam on their first attempt! These numbers are just amazing and such a benefit for these students as they continue on in their careers.”

~Frenship ISD Automotive Technology Instructor

During the first round of the HDJT Grant Lorenzo started a program that offers the AutoCAD certification for its students. Idalou started a Cisco Networking Academy during the second round of the HDJT Grant. Both rounds of the HDJT Grant were active during PY15, and both will run through April 30, 2017.

As of this date, 208 students have completed training and 73 have earned certifications in the occupations of welder,

nurse assistant, and automotive repair technician. We are very excited to see the success this project has had so far, and look forward to witnessing the success grow as the year goes on.

15th Annual Employer Awards 5th Annual Hiring Red, White, & You!

Exemplary YouthEbony Sayles

Exemplary Child Care ProviderJ.T. & Margaret Talkington Early Learning Center

Service to Workers AwardWesTex Document Inc.

Industry Sector Leader AwardUniFirst

Community Leader AwardCorrect Care Recovery Solutions

Local Employer of ExcellenceWest Texas ISF

Business Excellence AwardWalmart

Employer of the YearShearer’s Snacks

Award Winners

Ruth Hughs is the Commissioner Representing Employers of the Texas Workforce Commission. Governor Greg Abbott appointed her to the three-member commission in July 2015. Commissioner Hughs serves as an advocate for the 500,000 Texas Employers, and works to implement customized services to meet the needs of Texas’ vast array of industries and advance the development of a strong and competitive workforce. She promotes the expansion of industry-based partnerships that center on best practices to help workers and businesses achieve success. Commissioner Hughs was recognized twice as a Rising Star in the legal community by Texas Monthly, and is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin and Rutgers Law School.

Keynote Address

Every year we recognize businesses, organizations, child care providers, and exemplary youth who work diligently in

collaboration with workforce and child care centers to bring excellence to our region.

Veterans Job Fair

The Hiring Red, White, & You! Veterans Job Fair is a no-cost statewide event meant to connect veterans, service members, and their spouses to Texas employers. This event is held in 30 cities throughout Texas, and over the past four years has connected more than 42,000 veterans with more than 6,500 employers.

Red, White, and You! Job Fair offers opportunities to Lubbock-area Veterans

by Karen Michael | A-J MEDIA Delshan Martinez is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who participated in the Veteran Job Fair. “I just got out of the military. Now I’m just out here seeing what opportunities, as far as jobs, that are available to us veterans.” Martinez said. “Being in the Marine Corps, it’s a lot of discipline. When you transfer to being a civilian, we want to show ourselves as a good product to businesses or companies.” Area employers were wanting to meet with people like Martinez on Thursday, but not just for the purpose of making a hire. They said they also wanted to express their thanks to veterans for their sacrifices in the military. “It’s a great honor to be here and meet these people,” said Ashleigh Wyatt, a broker associate with Keller William. Danny Soliz, director of business development with Workforce Solutions South Plains, said several employers have told him that the Red, White, and You! Job Fair is their favorite event of the year “because they are able to give back to our veterans for their duty to our country and for protecting our freedoms.”

64 Employers

84 Veterans

110 Job Seekers

Succ

ess

Story

Spotli

ght

Quality Child Care

Victor Vasquez was employed with Cargill Meat Solutions for fourteen years until the company closed its doors on February 1, 2013. Victor enrolled into an ESL program with South Plains College on June 30, 2014, and he was provided assistance with tuition, required program supply fees such as textbooks, and transportation assistance. Victor successfully completed the ESL program on January 26, 2016. Afterwards, he began training with Star Careers on February 1, 2016 for CDL certification, and he was aided with assistance with tuition fees and transportation assistance. Victor completed this training on April 14, 2016, and he was hired on with D & J Gin as a truck driver.

Mr. Olivas enrolled into the Non-Custodial Parent program on March 21, 2016, and he accepted a Subsidized Employment position with the City of Levelland Recycling Center on April 14, 2016. Hecompleted his Subsidized Employment position on July 19, 2016, and was offered full-time employment opportunity with the company. Mr. Olivas has been employed with the City of Levelland Recycling Center since July 20, 2016, which has allowed him to begin offering consistent child support payments.

Candelario OlivasMarissa Ceniceros

Marissa Ceniceros was employed with Cargill Meat Solutions for thirteen years when she found herself at a crossroads when the company closed its doors on February 1, 2013. Marissa was enrolled into the Trade Assistance Act (TAA) Program on May 11, 2015, and she was admitted in theSouth Plains College LVN Nursing Program. Marissa was provided assistance with tuition, required programsupply fees such as textbooks, and transportation assistance. She successfully completed her LVN training on August 11, 2016 and obtained employment with Covenantin the Formby/Wheeler Unit, where she is still currently employed.Victor Vasquez

Research studies have shown that at-risk children who attend quality child care programs are more prepared for school entry than children who do not attend quality child care programs. South Plains TRS Providers

In the South Plains area assessments for providers choosing to meet the new TRS standards began in April of 2015. Of the 113 CCS providers in our area at the time, 14 met the new TRS standards which became effective September 1, 2015.

All TRS Certified Providers have a star rating in the following categories:

1. Director and Staff Qualifications and Training 2. Caregiver-Child Interactions 3. Curriculum 4. Nutrition and Indoor/Outdoor Activities 5. Parent Education and Involvement

2- Star Level: Exceeds minimum licensing requirements in all 5 categories

3-Star Level: Meets high-quality standards in all 5 categories

4-Star Level: Meets highest standards of quality in all 5 categories

History of Texas Rising Star (TRS) For decades, beginning in the mid-1970’s child care stakeholders have used federal standards and research on specific indicators of quality in the child care field. These were used to develop child care service control standards. These standards piloted in 1985 were the basis for the refinement and development of the Texas Rising Star Provider Certification Criteria which remained largely unchanged until July 2012 following changes to Child Care Licensing requirements. Then came 2013 and HB 376! The House Bill created tiered reimbursements for child care providers who meet higher levels of distinction within TRS. A work group consisting of various state agencies and Board staff sought the input of Board child care contractors, child care providers, Children’s Learning Institute, Texas Head Start State Collaboration Office, and various other agencies working with children’s education, care, and mental health. Recommendation to ensure a systems approach to improve the quality of child care in Texas were submitted September 1, 2015 and the proposed changes to TRS were approved by the Texas Workforce Commission on January 27, 2015.

Youth Career Fair

Workforce Solutions South Plains

Youth Career FairWednesday, June 1st, 2016

Lubbock Memorial Civic Center | 1501 Mac Davis Lane, Lubbock, TX 79401

Joseph AcabaNASA Astronaut

Olympia LePointRocket Scientist,

Author, & TED Speaker

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Featuring Guest Speakers

Olympia LePoint to speak at 11 a.m.Joseph Acaba to speak at 1 p.m.

The purpose of the Youth Career Fair is to introduce youth with the opportunities to meet and talk one-on-one with colleges, training providers, and employers to help them determine a career path they would want to follow after high school. This year’s Youth Career Fair was a huge success with two out of this world guest speakers, NASA Astronaut Joseph Acaba and Rocket Scientist Olympia LePoint. We were thrilled to welcome both Acaba and LePoint to Lubbock and hear their speeches to the youth of Lubbock and the surrounding counties. Everyone in attendance for their speeches was inspired by their personal experiences, from helping launch 4 space shuttles (LePoint) to a journey to the International Space Station with a total of 138 days in space during two missions with two spacewalks (Acaba). We had over 600 youth attendees (not counting parents and other adults) and 80 vendors come out for this event. There were 60 youth hired on-site at the event, and evaluations from both employers and youth were positive.

“The Youth Career Fair presents a unique opportunity to students who are not only looking for summer employment, but who also aren’t sure about how they will develop their lives for the future by giving them the chance to explore their potential paths through 60 different employer occupations at once, and the opportunity to look at career choices and higher education to prepare themselves. We have other events that focus only on career pathways, but the Youth Career Fair is the only event of its kind to present both immediate employment opportunities meeting one-on-one with employers and career exploration.” ~Martin Aguirre, CEO | Workforce Solutions South Plains

80 Vendors

60 Employers

20 Training Providers

600 Youth Attendees

60 Youth Hired at Event

South Plains Career Expo The annual South Plains Career Expo is the premier career-education event and the largest of its kind in West Texas, attended by more than 4,000 high school juniors and seniors. It shows students the amazing diversity of the career opportunities in our region, as well as the chance to explore potential career opportunities that match their interests and strengths. The Annual Expo brings together industry, education, and community to prepare high school students for college and/or career success after high school.

This year’s South Plains Career Expo was attended by 59 schools located in Texas Region 16 and 17, with 4,188 students who came out for the event. There were 84 exhibitors including top employers from every major sector such as creative industries, government, construction, education, manufacturing, engineering, technology, and much more. Exhibitors were able to visit with students and provide them methods to expand their career horizons, explore high-skill, high-wage occupations, and explore post educational goals.

“I feel the Expo overall was GREAT! My students LOVED the hands-on learning and activities.. GREAT experience! We will be back next year!”

~Carla Rodriguez, CIS Site Coordinator | Slaton High School

July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016

Program Initiatives Pro

gra

m Exp

enditures

July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016

2,075 Average Number of Children Served Each Day

442 Customers Trained

20,412 Job Seekers Served

13,321 Job Seekers Placed into Employment

1,946 Employers Served

1,258 Veterans Served

83 Out-of-School-Youth Served

767 Veterans Placed into Employment

222 Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult/Dislocated Workers Served

164 Youth Served

6,758 UI Claimants Served

5,172 UI Claimants Entered Employment

Child Care: $10,575,087 59%

Trade: $1,609,2109%

TANF: $2,760,13510%

Other: $293,7942%

WIOA Youth: $831,8045%

WIOA DW: $1,343,8027%

WIOA Adult: $576,2293%

SNAP E&T: $414,3752%

NEG: $567,1293%

Total: $17,971,566

Workforce Solutions South Plains is an equal opportunity employer/programs. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Relay Texas: 711 (voice); 800.735.2989 (TDD); or Relay Texas Spanish 800.662.4954.

a proud partner of the American Job Center network

Workforce Solutions South Plains Board Administration1301 Broadway, Ste. 201 | Lubbock, TX 79401

806.744.1987

Lubbock1218 14th Street

Lubbock, Texas 79401Phone: 806.765.5038

Toll Free: 1.866.765.5038

Levelland1102 Austin Street

Levelland, Texas 79336Phone: 806.894.5005

Plainview1001 North I-27, Ste. 228Plainview, Texas 79072Phone: 806.293.8566

Muleshoe203 Main Street

Muleshoe, Texas 79347Phone: 806.272.7540

Littlefield2401-B Hall Avenue

Littlefield, Texas 79339Phone: 806.385.7898

Brownfield1321-B Tahoka Road

Brownfield, Texas 79316Phone: 806.637.1223

www.spworkforce.org

Other Locations: