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What is a Workforce Board?
Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs) are the official government entities that oversee the development and maintenance of the area’s workforce. Texas has 28 LWDBs. Their mission is to improve the employment climate of each respective region.
LWDBs are independent boards of directors overseen by a designated Chief Elected Official (or Officials). Areas have flexibility in how they set up their LWDB, but they must adhere to the Texas Administrative Code to be certified through the Governor’s office.
In Texas, more than $800 million is distributed annually to Local Workforce Development Boards through the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). TWC also manages Texas’ Unemployment Insurance programs, Labor Market Information, Skills Development Fund and other employer related programs.
The Texas Workforce Commission receives its funds and is overseen by the U.S. Department of Labor and the State of Texas. TWC and LWDBs also receive and administer funding from other sources.
Texas was the first state to implement LWDBs in anticipation of dramatic changes made by the U.S. Welfare Reform Act of 1996.
How do Local Workforce Boards Operate?
A board of directors is appointed by a local elected official (or a consortium of elected officials). Private sector business, labor, education, literacy and local community representatives must be represented on LWDBs. That board either directly employs or appoints an entity (usually a non-profit) to procure, receive and administer workforce funds. The Executive Director (or President) of the LWDB staff oversees all activities of the LWDB.
A LWDB cannot both administer the funds and be a recipient of the funds. Thus, almost all workforce services (case management, training, job search assistance, businesses services, etc.) are performed by contractors. In general, LWDBs’ largest contractors are the provider of case management services (which includes the operation of local Texas Workforce Centers) and the administrator of childcare services programs.
In addition to case management and childcare, LWDBs contract with other training service providers including local community colleges, proprietary schools, vocational training programs, universities, non-profits and other organizations (such as Business Access).
What does a Workforce Board do for communities?
Workforce Boards manage Texas Workforce Centers, which is where Texans go to register for unemployment, determine their eligibility for government sponsored training programs, and seek employment opportunities.
Workforce boards fund and oversee training for unemployed and underemployed citizens. Your LWDB reviews labor demand data and receives input from the community about what types of programs are needed. It maintains a list of high demand occupations for the region and ensures that training programs are oriented toward that demand (for example, your LWDB determined that your area had increasing demand for computer literacy so they have contracted to offer the In-Home Learning System.)
You can provide feedback to your LWDB at their monthly Board of Directors’ meetings – every meeting has a public comment section. You must sign up to make a public comment before the meeting begins.
LWDBs also provide direct services to businesses. Utilize Hire Access to search for potential employees that are completing workforce training and/or create a customized curriculum for your company. You can contact your LWDB to request assistance with the development of other customized training, during layoffs or when relocating into the area.
The Texas Workforce Commission offers business services including Work in Texas, a statewide online job bank which includes candidates that have registered at workforce centers. Information regarding employment in Texas including payday laws, tax information, and labor market statistics can be found on the Texas Workforce Commission website.
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