Texas Workforce Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Ann Hatchitt
DATE: January 15, 2010 PHONE: (512) 463-8556
Texas Back to Work Offers $15 Million to Texas Employers
Incentives available for hiring out-of-work Texans
AUSTIN – Texas employers can receive monetary incentives for hiring unemployed workers under a two-year,
$15 million program promoted by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and funded by the Legislature last session. Texas
Back to Work offers employers subsidized-wage reimbursement, retention bonuses and other incentives for
hiring qualified out-of-work Texans, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) announced today.
“Texas employers are standing strong during tough economic times. Businesses, small and large, can earn Texas
Back to Work incentives to expand their operations and offer new opportunities to unemployed Texans,” said
Lt. Gov. Dewhurst.
Texas Back to Work is available to employers through the 28 Texas local workforce development boards, which
also provide employers with workforce recruitment assistance, pre-screening of qualified applicants and
training programs. More than 1.8 million customers were served in more than 240 workforce centers across
Texas last year.
“We will help people get back to work by helping employers defray part of the cost of wages and on-the-job
training,” said TWC Chairman Tom Pauken.
Through the new program, some employers who hire people receiving unemployment benefits can receive a
portion of the new employees’ wages for a set period of time. Another possible incentive would provide
employers with up to $1,500 in wage-retention bonuses if they continue to employ the formerly out-of-work
employees for at least 120 days.
“Valuable programs like Texas Back to Work exemplify the progressive vision of our leaders and make Texas a
great place to do business,” said Will Newton, Texas Executive Director, National Federation of Independent
Business.
Employers interested in participating should contact their local workforce development boards to learn about all
options available in their areas and to help put Texas Back to Work. Employers also are encouraged to take
advantage of WorkInTexas.com, TWC’s online job matching Web site where more than 250,000 employers
already are registered to post job openings and find great employees. Local workforce board contact
information can be found on the TWC Web site at http://www.twc.state.tx.us/dirs/wdbs/wdbmap.html or by
calling 512-463-8556. — more —
Texas Workforce Commission • 512-463-8942 • http://www.texasworkforce.org • Equal Opportunity Employer
Relay Texas • 1-800-735-2989 (TDD) • 1-800-735-2988 (Voice)
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Here is what employers across the state are saying about the Texas Back to Work
program: