Hiring Our Heroes is a nationwide initiative launched by the US Chamber Foundation that connects veterans, service members, and military spouses with meaningful employment opportunities. Locally, this effort is seen through a joint venture between Fort Hood, Workforce Solutions of Central Texas, Soldier For Life, Central Texas College, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
Workforce
A Young and Talented Workforce
With five local and eight regional colleges and universities, 75,000 college students within a 60-minute drive, and a great quality of life that attracts and retains a young workforce, Greater Waco has access to the talented workforce that your business needs. Greater Waco draws labor force from our seven-county region: Bell, Bosque, Falls, Hill, Coryell, Limestone, and McLennan.
Greater Waco's concentration of talent is a strategic advantage. (Location Quotients - 1.0 = US Average)
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Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians (12.66)
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Insulation Workers/Construction (11.84)
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Machinists (3.56)
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Masonry (4.64)
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Occupational Health and Safety Technicians (3.72)
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Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, Samplers (3.35)
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Welding and Brazing Machine Setters (3.18)
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Plant Operators (3.18)
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Molders and Casters (5.69)
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Bakers (2.67)
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Aerospace Engineers (1.88)
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Medical Assistants (2.20)
Veteran Workforce Pipeline
Fort Hood, a short 45 minute drive from Waco, is one of the largest military bases in the world with more than 40,000 troops on post. Active enlisted skill sets at Fort Hood include:
Maintenance
Heavy equipment operations
Engineering
Logistics
Military intelligence
UAV’s, signal
Situational awareness
Aircraft mechanics
Supervisors
Dispatch
Flight support
Fort Hood is one of the U.S. Army’s largest transitioning base for soldiers exiting the military. Monthly, approximately 700 to 800 soldiers exit the military through Fort Hood, and many of these individuals desire to seek employment in the Central Texas area. The Greater Waco Chamber Economic Development team works with multiple federal initiatives to find civilian employment for these soldiers.
Workforce Partners
Heroes Make America is an accelerated 10-week training program for exiting military, held 4-5 times per year. Service members gain industry-specific skills and certifications, including Quality Control, Production, Maintenance, OSHA10 and Forklift Operation.
Soldier for Life is a program that assists soldiers who are exiting military service, aiding in their transition to civilian employment and connecting them with training and job opportunities.
TSTC is highly experienced in customizable industry training programs and partners with Workforce to recruit a qualified pool of candidates and screen them based on a broad array of company-defined criteria.
The Corporate & Professional Training Department at MCC meets the demands of business and industry by delivering consulting services and customized corporate training to any organization. Training can be conducted at your facility or on the MCC campus.
GWAMA is a collaboration between the Waco Business League, Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, TSTC, and area manufacturing businesses that trains the future skilled workforce that advanced manufacturers need. The program is hosted by the Waco Independent School District and attended by 9 area high schools. GWAMA trains Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors in a range of fields, including welding, construction, architecture, electronics and robotics.
GWAHCA is a unique and innovative collaboration between local hospitals, community partners, and the Waco Independent School District that prepares students for future healthcare careers. Students can graduate high school with a certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Medical Technician, Pharmacology-Pharmacy Technician, and more.
Located in Waco, Workforce Solutions ffor the Heart of Texas is the local workforce development branch of the Texas Workforce Commission. Workforce Solutions help employers find quality candidates by providing services that include: candidate referrals, customized job training programs, job listings, job fair assistance, labor market information, testing and assessment, outplacement services, and layoff aversion strategies.
Workforce Solutions draws from the largest candidate pool in the State of Texas – www.WorkInTexas.com, and routinely hosts 5,000 to 7,000 job seekers at their facility per month. Workforce Solutions team demonstrates its ability to help businesses ramp up with employment quickly and is a strong asset for businesses to maintain an ongoing supply of talent.