Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Texas Workforce Commission Launch Career Readiness Handbook

This week the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Workforce Commission launched the Career Readiness handbook that is designed to help students in higher education identify and communicate their marketable skills as they prepare for the workforce after graduation.

“Texas’s higher education plan, 60x30TX, is a powerful and appropriate response to the changing nature of the U.S. economy and its job market,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Raymund Paredes. “As the marketable skills goal states, we want all our undergraduate college students to graduate with marketable skills. This Career Readiness handbook is a guide to help Texans of all ages transition from student to employee, manager or entrepreneur.”

An increasing number of jobs require postsecondary education and training. Texas must produce more workers with certificates, associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees to keep pace with growing demand and to remain globally competitive.

The Career Readiness handbook is part of collaborative efforts to help students improve their employability, and supports ongoing, complementary work in both agencies.

“We’ve listened to our state’s industry leaders and created an outreach campaign to meet employers’ needs by reaching our future workforce with an inspirational message that informs and inspires them to choose and prepare for exciting in-demand careers,” said Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chair Ruth R. Hughs. “The Jobs Y’all career exploration campaign raises awareness among students, parents, counselors and teachers about the strength of Texas industries in attracting our future workforce and secures Texas as the best choice for a 21st century workforce.”

Marketable skills are gained through a variety of activities, including curricular programs, student leadership, volunteer efforts, internships, apprenticeships, and many other opportunities.

“One of the hardest things for college students is making the jump from theoretical to practical, and internships help them do that, gaining valuable work experience while exploring their opportunities in the workforce,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. “Through TWC programs such as ApprenticeshipTexas and the Texas Internship Challenge, TWC and the Higher Education Coordinating Board encourages companies to offer more of these applied learning opportunities for students.”

Students who can effectively market their skills to potential employers can secure employment that pays competitively in their field.

“A well-educated and knowledgeable Texas workforce is the key to our prosperity,” said TWC Commissioner Representing the Public Robert D. Thomas. “For our students, it’s never too early to think about what career you want. Our Texas employers, meanwhile, help our students by teaching them marketable skills that make them a valued member of our workforce. Any career readiness tool that translates marketable skills and labor market information into insights and helps bridge a gap between our future workforce and our employers is a serious investment in our future. The result is accelerated economic growth, a resilient and adaptable workforce, stronger communities, and individuals who are active participants in the new economy. It’s a win-win for all Texans.”

The Career Readiness handbook is available online at http://www.60x30tx.com/resources/reports/. It is also being provided to career services centers at Texas higher education institutions.