The Upper Rio Grande Workforce Development Board, known as Workforce Solutions Upper Rio Grande, is one 28 workforce boards in the state of Texas. Their region includes six counties: Brewster, Culberson, El Paso, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis and Presidio. Funding comes from the Department of Labor, through the Texas Workforce Commission. Workforce Solutions provides skilled workers for employers and job opportunities for workers.
The non-profit organization currently has a 27-member Board of Directors responsible for strategic guidance and policy governance to achieve goals focusing on employment, education and economic development. They meet monthly to make sure board programs, resources and initiatives stay on track to ultimately fuel employment, education and economic development.
The Board is made up of members from different sectors: private, community-based, public assistance, labor, public education, vocational rehabilitation, economic development, literacy and adult basic and/or continuing education. Each member received his or her membership appointment from The Board’s Chief Elected Official (CEO), a position held by the Mayor of the City of El Paso, with final approval by the three-member Texas Workforce Commission is Austin. Each dedicates time to serving on the Board, outside of their every day life and occupational duties.
In 2005, Mayor Cook was appointed by the County Judges of the six counties to serve as the Chief Elected Official of Workforce Solutions, representing the City of El Paso.
Accomplishments: In 2008 alone, we created more than 5,000 new jobs and lowered our unemployment to below the national average for the first time in 40 years.
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