Having the right skills is an important part of getting a good job. One way of gaining these skills is by actually working. Workforce Solutions Texoma helps provide eligible young people with a wide variety of work experience opportunities. Work experience opportunities vary in a number of different ways including when and where the participating young people will work.

Work Experience is provided based on the availability of funding.  As part of a comprehensive program, Workforce Solutions Texoma offers those Work Experience opportunities for eligible youth throughout the year.

Work experience opportunities are provided at both public sector (governmental entities, nonprofit organizations, schools, etc.) and private sector (for-profit companies) sites. Young people participating in work experience are assigned to supervisors specially trained to help teach them appropriate work habits and job skills.

Call or visit your local Workforce Center and speak with our youth career specialist for more information about work experience opportunities.

As of the Fall of 2021, Workforce Solution Texoma’s Workforce Career and Education Outreach Specialists are available in designated school districts to assist students with career guidance, career preparation, and workforce information.  These Career and Education Outreach Specialists work directly in the classroom with students providing information on different educational and vocational pathway opportunities to 6^th through 12^th grade students in the following areas:

• providing information on opportunities and training requirements in growth and high- demand occupations and making well-informed postsecondary decisions;
• organizing training workshops about employment and education;
• exposing students to a variety of career pathways, including technical and/or community colleges, and employment, through presentations, Labor Market & Career Information Tools, job fairs, and site visits;
• coordinating with local and state workforce services, employers, and educational institutions to build pathways into pre-apprenticeship and RA programs and encourage local employers to offer pre-apprenticeship and RA programs;
• providing career support workshops for students, parents, and guardians;
• fostering employer/ISD collaboration and encouraging employers to provide internship opportunities and serve as mentors;
• encouraging partnerships between ISDs and technical and/or community colleges and pathways;
• collaborating on annual workshops with subject matter experts, local business and industry leaders, chambers of commerce, and technical and/or community colleges to build a network of partnerships among local organizations and support local delivery of integrated career and education services,
• organizing job development and career fairs

For additional information, please contact:

                        Hope Kramer:  903.975.7408 x 821

There are many factors involved in identifying your best training match. One of the most important factors is your interest in a particular job. Workforce Solutions’ professional staff can help you identify your preferred interests, suggest matching jobs, then help you find the training program that best fits your needs.

• If you meet certain income eligibility guidelines, Workforce Solutions Texoma may be able to provide financial assistance for your tuition, books, and other training-related costs for up to two years. Visit your local Workforce Center to see if you qualify.
• View our Training Orientation Video to see what is needed to apply for workforce-sponsored financial assistance to help you pay for training.
• Please note that we are limited to providing training assistance unless your training program is in one of Texoma’s Targeted Occupations.
• Other financial aid information:
  • Pell Grant (Free Application for Federal Student Aid – FAFSA)
  • Scholarship.com
  • Texas Tomorrow Fund

After you have completed high school, or obtained your High School Equivalency (GED), you may want to consider additional training, and Workforce Solutions Texoma may be able to help. Workforce Solutions Texoma also provides job-placement assistance at the completion of training.

Today’s employers are looking for employees who are self-motivated and can lead others. Learning to be responsible for yourself and to lead others can mean a huge difference in the type of work you will ultimately do. Workforce Solutions Texoma provides a variety of activities designed to teach leadership, communication, and problem solving skills. Team training opportunities allow young people to gain confidence in themselves and others.

Call or visit your local Workforce Center and ask for our youth career specialist for more details.

Workforce Solutions Texoma knows how important it is for young people to succeed in school. As the skills demand increases, students often find they need a little additional help grasping important concepts and can benefit from the help of a tutor. Tutoring is available in all three counties. Find out more by calling or visiting your local Workforce Center and ask for our youth career specialist.

Many of the most successful people in the world say at least part of the reason for their success is because someone helped them along the way – a “Mentor”. Workforce Solutions Texoma can help young people find a mentor to provide advice and guidance gained from real-world experiences.

For more information on how you can find a mentor to help you become successful in life, call or visit your local Workforce Center and ask for our youth career specialist.