Robert Sturns

Executive Director

Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County

The Tarrant County Workforce and Economic Development Forum was held on July 30th at the Bob Duncan Center in Arlington. Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County and the Arlington Economic Development Corporation co-hosted the event which, brought together regional leaders, distinguished speakers and community partners for a day focused on innovation, collaboration and regional opportunity. The strong attendance and active engagement throughout the venue reflected a shared commitment across Tarrant County to building a resilient, forward-looking local economy. 

The forum opened with a keynote address from Adriana Cruz, Executive Director of the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office. Drawing on a statewide perspective, Cruz highlighted the critical importance of local and regional collaboration in driving Texas’ overall economic growth. Her remarks emphasized that sustained economic progress relies on strong, aligned partnerships among neighboring municipalities.

Later in the program, Renee Parker, Business Services Director, led an interactive table discussion focused on workforce trends, employer engagement, and practical strategies for regional success. 

Kay Brown, Assistant Executive Director, Arlington Economic Development Corporation moderated an expert panel featuring regional economic development leaders Robert Briggs, Director of Economic Development, City of Haltom City, Christie Goodman, Director of Targeted Attraction and State Affairs, Arlington Economic Development Corporation, Ana Erwin, Assistant Director of Economic Development with City of Keller, and Rachel Bagley, Assistant Director of Economic Development with the City of Mansfield. 

Overall, the forum showcased the remarkable depth of expertise and spirit of collaboration driving Tarrant County’s economic progress, providing attendees with actionable strategies to support continued growth across the region.

Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County (WSTC) is proud to announce the successful completion of its Teacher Externship Grant for FY26, made possible with grant funding from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). Over the course of the program, local educators partnered with industry leaders to bring firsthand career knowledge back to their classroom, impacting thousands of students across Tarrant County.

Program Impact Numbers

• 29 Tarrant County Employers from high-demand sectors ranging from healthcare and hospitality to manufacturing and public infrastructure, local businesses welcomed educators into their facilities for immersive job-shadowing and site visits. Those employers include:
• American Carton Company
• Autobahn FW
• Bright IA- Intelligent Automation
• Cook Children’s Health Care System
• Cummings Electrical
• CVS
• Gaylord Texan
• Grand Hyatt DFW
• Hyatt Regency DFW
• JPS Health Network
• Junior Achievement of Chisholm Trail
• Lakeside Christian Academy
• Live! By Loews Arlington
• Lockheed Martin
• Loews Arlington Hotel & Convention Center
• Nerdworks Services LLC
• O’Reily Hospitality- Marriott Champions Circle
• Podiatry Associates of Arlington
• Post L Group Construction
• Recaro Aircraft Seating Americas LLC
• Spark Arlington and Texas Live
• The Rios Group Inc.
• The Women’s Center of Tarrant County
• The Worthington Renaissance
• Trane Technologies
• Trinity Metro
• Trinity River Authority
• University of North Texas Health Science Center
• Willard Automotive
• 45 teachers from the following Tarrant County School Districts participated in the program:
• Arlington
• Birdville
• Castleberry
• Crowley
• Everman
• Fort Worth
• Grapevine-Colleyville
• Hurst-Euless-Bedford
• Keller
• Mansfield
• 1,800 hours of on-site learning was completed
• Every teacher reaches over 100 students a year, this experience ensures those lessons are engaging, relevant and aligned with the skills industries need most.

These experiences provided teachers with deep, actionable insights into current workforce expectations. A healthcare educator hosted at JPS Health Network observed an onsite Patient Care Technician (PCT) clinical program to better understand hospital standards for incoming medical professionals. Reflecting on the placement, the teacher noted, "I learned that success in healthcare requires more than technical skills, students are expected to demonstrate professionalism, communication, teamwork, critical thinking and adaptability. I will use this experience to develop EKG and patient-centered care activities that better prepare my students for real-world clinical environments.”

Stronger partnerships. Stronger workforce. Stronger Tarrant County.

Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County and the Fort Worth Chamber joined forces to strengthen connections between the Tarrant County business community and workforce system.

WSTC and FWC co-hosted a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Signing Day Event. Through this strategic partnership, we will collaborate to expand work-based learning opportunities, share employer insights and connect businesses to resources and address emerging workforce needs.

Together, we are helping build the talent pipeline businesses need and creating pathways to meaningful careers for our community.

Thank you our Board Chair, Rosa Navejar for joining us at the event. You are a wonderful cheerleader for this strategic partnership! Below is both the press release as well as a Business Press Article about the partnership.

North Texas NEXT: A Guide to Life After High School, was created to support and raise awareness for the region’s standout CTE programs, support regional workforce initiatives, to help train and retain Texas talent, to improve outcomes and increase the percentage of “career-ready” graduates (especially among “English Learners”) and ultimately help bridge the gap between education and business.

The fourth edition of North Texas NEXT magazine is out now! Proudly used by educators in the classroom to excite and engage students as they think about their futures. Spotlighting North Texas’ booming industries and most in-demand careers.

Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County is a proud partner in the distribution of this magazine across North Texas. Check it out and use this resource for your classroom.

Private Sector Fuels Continued Growth of Texas Job Market

Texas reached a total of 14,468,000 nonfarm jobs after adding 1,600 positions in July. Over the year, the state added 165,600 jobs for an annual growth rate of 1.2%, outpacing the national rate by a full percentage point.

Texas’ civilian labor force registered at 15,915,600 after adding 10,800 people over the month. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 17,800 people.

2026 Camp Fire First Texas EEAP Graduation

Congratulations to the latest cohort of Early Education Apprenticeship Program graduates. These inspiring educators have dedicated themselves to shaping the future of early childhood education in our community.

Congratulations as well to Nicole Allen, Child Care Director for WSTC for being recognized with the Workforce Board Partner Awards! 

American Legion Award

Executive Director, Robert Sturns attended the American Legion National Headquarters State Award Presentation in Austin, Texas. Mr. Sturns accepted the Employment Service (Local Office) of the Year on behalf of WSTC.

The award recognizes a local workforce office that demonstrates exceptional impact in helping veterans secure employment, advance their careers and successfully transition into the civilian workforce.

Upcoming 2026 Job Fairs

• September 30, 2026: Fort Worth Area Job Fair
• November 5, 2026: 15th Annual Hiring Red, White & You! Job Fair (BIGGEST EVENT OF THE YEAR!)
• December 2026 Job Fair: Details Coming Soon!

Sponsorship Opportunities:

In FY26, WSTC launched sponsorship opportunities for our workforce events. Over the years we have been asked how employers attending our events can help support the great work being done in our community.

We have lots of different levels and can work with you and your budget. Multiple opportunities to support us. If you would like more information please contact Lacey Douglas, Communications and Events Director at events@workforcesolutions.net and she will send you the packages and help you select the one that works for your organization. 

Phone: 817-413-4000

Website: www.workforcesolutions.net

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An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available, upon request, to individuals with disabilities.

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