Mykeyus Woods

WIOA Participant - Success Story

It's our pleasure to introduce our WIOA participant, Mykeyus Woods. Mykeyus came to Workforce Solutions because he wasn't sure what he wanted to do with his life, and asking for help came hard for him. He knows that many young people from backgrounds similar to his may have the same mindset. His advice to them: "If somebody is willing to help, take the help."

Mykeyus learned about our WIOA program through his uncle, who had earned his CDL through the program. He researched a career path in the electrical trades and decided he would like to explore a career as an electrician.

Mykeyus entered into on-the-job training with East Texas Electrical and Lift in Longview. He met with the company's owner, David Fisher, to discuss the agreement. When David asked Mykeyus when he wanted to start working, Mykeyus responded he'd love to start that day, right then. David told him, "here's my tools, here we are, and I'll stand here, and I'll show you what to do."

David says he's honored to be teaching his trade to young people. He loves watching them learn and grow as workers and as people. As he enters the end of his professional career, David wants to pass on his knowledge to the next generation. He worries that the trades are dying and knows that the key to keeping them alive is to pass on his skills to young proteges like Mykeyus.

Mykeyus is a hard worker with a heart of gold. He'd like to earn a good career and move back to Dallas to start an organization to help the youth of the area. Coming from the same background, he wishes that someone would have reached out to him when he needed it, and he feels the calling to be that person for the next generation of youth in that area. He urges young people, "Know what you want to do, have it set in your mind that this is what I want to do, and people will come and help you. That's what the Workforce has done for me, and they'll definitely do the same for you."

Do you have a heartfelt story you'd like to share? We love to hear from our community! Click the link below to submit your story, and you may be featured in next month's newsletter.

SUBMIT MY STORY!

Workforce Services

A monthly highlight of workforce programs that help the community

WIOA Youth Program

Workforce Solutions East Texas can provide many services to young adults (ages 16 to 24) through our Career Edge Young Adult Program. This program allows us to provide job skills for our future job seekers. We can provide paid work experience, work readiness courses, and school scholarships! To be eligible, you must have a barrier to employment. Through this program, eligible participants can also receive support services such as transportation, gas assistance, and child care. Enrollees will also gain access to educated staff members, such as career advisors and facilitators, who will work as a team to design a career path created just for that individual! Orientations have begun in our local offices! 

Click here for orientation dates and times in your area!

These services are free to individuals who qualify through the eligibility guidelines! Why not take advantage of a program designed to help young people enter the workforce? Contact us today to see if you qualify for the WIOA Youth Program!

Find out more!

Workforce Solutions

Monthly updates of the workforce in our area

USA

TEXAS

EAST TEXAS

Hot Jobs on WorkInTexas.com

Want to view a job opening in this field?

Click each job title to view posting details!

Our Hot Jobs are updated weekly.

Click here to view our most updated video on our website!

Looking for Work?

Let us help! There are many ways that Workforce Solutions East Texas can

assist job seekers with navigating their career path!

Getting to

Know the Board

Find out more about those who serve our region

Claude Figueroa

Claude Figueroa is a Senior Marketing Consultant with CenterPoint Energy. His career with the gas company spans over 40 years’ experience fulfilling various roles in natural gas operations, accounting, and marketing. Claude has been involved in various community volunteer leadership roles and currently serves as Chair of the Tyler Area of Commerce Energy Committee, board member for both the United Way of Smith County/Tyler and Champions for Children, and proudly serves as the Chair of the Workforce Solutions East Texas Board.

Claude began his service with Workforce Solutions when he was appointed as a private-sector board representative in November 2012. He became Vice-Chairman in 2017, where he served until becoming Chair this September. His community involvement includes volunteering for the Liberty Theater in Tyler. Claude attended Abilene Christian University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications in 1981.  Claude enjoys playing guitar and ukulele, kayaking, fishing, and spending time with his family in his free time.

Service Access Points for Rural Counties

Workforce Solutions East Texas is pleased to announce four new Access Point partner locations established in East Texas. Access Point locations are service locations where WSET has established partnerships with community organizations to set up a place for job seekers to receive on-site assistance. These sites have a WSET resource area where job seekers can register for WorkInTexas.com, receive assistance with job searches, register for professional development workshops, and access resources during their staffed service hours.

The following are Access Points that opened in January:

The Panola College Access Point location is in Carthage at 1109 W Panola St. in the W.C. Smith Building, office number 116. It will be staffed every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and scheduled appointments. 

The Camp County Access Point location is in Pittsburg at 200 W. Marshall St. E3 in the Habitat for Humanity building. It will be staffed every 2^nd Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and for scheduled appointments.

The Rusk County Access Point location is in Henderson at 106 E. Main St. in the Rusk County Library. It will be staffed during the first Wednesday of every month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and for scheduled appointments.

The Upshur County Access Point location is in Gilmer at the Open Door Pregnancy Center. It will be staffed every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and for scheduled appointments.

WSET now has a total of 11 Access Points, partnered with Kilgore College, Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, Rains County Library in Emory, Food for Life in Edgewood, Texas Tech Satellite Campus in Jefferson, and Camp V and St. Louis Baptist Church in Tyler. We plan to open new locations in Jacksonville, Palestine, and Marshall, pending agreements.

Details on Access Point location service hours can be viewed at www.easttexasworkforce.org/locations. 

Ready to Get in on the Action?

Workforce Solutions East Texas is gearing up for round two of Rural, Set, Go! We are excited to begin "RSG: Boost" starting February 2022. Dates and times have not been announced. Are you interested in attending? Click the button below to pre-register!

Schedule WSET to Speak at Your Next Event

Workforce Solutions East Texas offers no-cost services to area employers and job seekers! Let us help you serve and grow the workforce of tomorrow in East Texas. We are available to speak to your group on education, funding, workforce, TWC programs, employment services, and more! For scheduling and booking events, please get in touch with Kim Stacy or Khaleelah Waalee at 903-561-8131. 

Register for our Newsletter