Caption: Luis Macias, Texas Workforce Commission; Dolores Herrera, Redcats USA; Lorenzo Reyes, Jr., Workforce Solutions Upper Rio Grande 

Workforce Solutions Upper Rio Grande and the Texas Workforce Commission presented Redcats USA with a check for $7,200 for their participation in the Texas Back to Work Program (TBTW) Tuesday, June 1 at the Norman Haley Employment Center located at 300 East Main in Downtown El Paso. Texas Back to Work is an innovative new program from the Texas Workforce Commission and the 28 local workforce development boards across the state. It was funded by the Texas Legislature with $15 million over the next two years.  Through the effort, employers can receive a $2,000 incentive for employing and retaining a first-time unemployment insurance recipient.
The check for Redcats USA is the largest yet in the Upper Rio region and only represents nine people that have worked one month; the company has hired a total of 23 TBTW participants making the company eligible to receive a $46,000 retention bonus should all participants remain employed for four months. “Redcats USA found this program to be a great opportunity for all parties involved,” said Human Resources Director Dolores Herrera. “By participating, we believe we are promoting our state's employment initiatives by offering job opportunities in our local community.  The check that we are receiving is just an added incentive,” she added.
So far,  1,650 unemployed Texans are back to work as a result of the TBTW program, of those  80 are in the Upper Rio region. More than 10,000 unemployed Upper Rio residents are eligible, each is pre-screened and referred based on employer needs and requirements. Employers interested in the program should call 887-2666 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .