Overview
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is a state government agency responsible for supporting the state’s labor force through a variety of programs and services. These include providing unemployment benefits, offering workforce training and educational opportunities, and administering the child care subsidy program.
TWC plays a key role in helping unemployed Texans find new employment, while also assisting employers with recruitment and training. Through its various initiatives, the agency aims to strengthen the state’s workforce and promote economic stability.
Agency Functions
Key functions of the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) include:
- Workforce Training & Development: TWC offers training programs and resources to help individuals acquire new skills and improve their employability. This includes adult education, literacy services, and specialized programs for people with disabilities.
- Unemployment Benefits: TWC administers the state’s unemployment insurance program, which provides temporary financial assistance to workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.
- Job Matching and Employment Services: The agency operates WorkInTexas.com, an online job-matching system that connects jobseekers with employers, listing thousands of available positions across the state.
- Labor Market Data & Analysis: TWC works in collaboration with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to gather, analyze, and publish employment data, wage trends, and labor market forecasts, which help inform policy and workforce development decisions.
- Veteran Services: TWC offers specialized support for veterans transitioning to civilian careers, including job search assistance, training programs, and employer outreach to encourage the hiring of veterans.
- Employer Support & Recruitment Services: TWC helps businesses with recruitment, workforce training, outplacement services, and compliance with employment laws.
- Apprenticeship & Career Pathways: TWC facilitates registered apprenticeship programs, providing on-the-job training that combines paid work experience with classroom instruction in various industries.
- Dispute Resolution & Appeals: TWC provides a formal process for resolving disputes related to unemployment claims, employer tax liabilities, and labor law violations.
Agency Structure
The Texas Workforce Commission is governed by a three-member board appointed by the governor. It includes one commissioner who is meant to represent labor interests, one who represents employers, and one who represents the public. These commissioners are responsible for setting the strategic direction and policy priorities for the agency.
The commissioners appoint an Executive Director, who oversees the day-to-day operations of the agency. In total, TWC employs approximately 4,800 employees.
Structurally, TWC is divided into several departments, including Vocational Rehabilitation, Workforce Development, Unemployment Insurance, IT, Civil Rights, and Regulatory Integrity.
Regional Workforce Boards
TWC heads a statewide network of 28 workforce development boards. TWC provides grants to these boards, which implement various services, including the federal nutrition assistance program (SNAP E&T), child care subsidies, and employment services.
The regional boards help workers find jobs, and help employers hire workers.
The regional boards carry out their own strategic planning. But they are accountable to the TWC through performance-based contracts. TWC oversees these contracts and provides technical assistance to the boards.
Agency Budget
Most of the TWC budget is funded through federal sources under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, Choices, Employment Services, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAP E&T), and child care and other federal programs.
Employer-paid state unemployment taxes also provide a major source of funding. These are used to support state unemployment benefits.
