(El Paso, Texas) Workforce Solutions Upper Rio Grande Board Chair Patricia Villalobos made history this afternoon in Washington, D.C. after she was elected Board Member for the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB). She is the first Board Member from Workforce Solutions to ever be elected to serve on the national board.

“I’m honored to be representing our region,” said an emotional Villalobos after the election. “As a native of El Paso and a successful small business owner, serving at this level is very rewarding; I never thought I would be in this position. I look forward to representing our needs, bringing back knowledge and making an impact through innovation and collaboration,” she added.

Mrs. Villalobos was one more than one dozen Board Members from across the United States nominated for three open seats on the NAWB Board of Directors. New Board Members were elected Sunday afternoon during the NAWB’s annual conference being held in our nation's capital. She will serve a three year term.

 “This is an honor for us,” said Workforce Solutions Upper Rio Grande CEO Lorenzo Reyes, Jr., “Mrs. Villalobos will be our voice at the national level, on issues related to education, employment and economic development. NAWB wanted someone representing a growing industry who understands the needs of businesses,” he added.

Chair Villalobos, owner of Barnhart-Taylor, Inc. is a Private Sector Representative on the 25-member Board of Directors for Workforce Solutions Upper Rio Grande. She has served on the Board since 2006 when she was appointed by the Mayor of the City of El Paso and confirmed by the three-member Texas Workforce Commission is Austin. She was elected Chair of the Board in October 2009.

About NAWB:
NAWB supports and promotes the work of its members through a comprehensive program of advocacy, technical assistance, and communications activities. Services are designed to help Board volunteers advance the public-private model among key policy makers, secure the role of the business sector in workforce development, enhance members' capacity and effectiveness, and learn from networking opportunities with the nationwide job training community. NAWB is the only group that advocates solely for Workforce Investment Boards.

AUSTIN — Texas total nonagricultural employment grew for the fourth consecutive month gaining 32,500 jobs in April. Texas employers have added 79,000 jobs since the beginning of 2010. The Texas seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose slightly to 8.3 percent in April, up from 8.2 percent in March, and continued to trend well below the U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for April of 9.9 percent. The Texas Civilian Labor Force grew by another 51,000 workers in April. More Texans are employed than ever before at 11.2 million workers.

“The employment results were mixed in Texas for the month of April. While the unemployment rate in our state increased from 8.2 percent to 8.3 percent, we did experience job growth in a number of industries,” said  Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chairman Tom Pauken.  “Texas had employment gains in such sectors as Construction, Mining and Logging along with Manufacturing.”
 
Construction employment displayed impressive growth in April with an increase of 10,600 jobs. Mining and Logging grew for the third consecutive month with 2,800 jobs added in April. Manufacturing employment increased by 700 jobs in April. 

“The Texas labor force is expanding at a record pace, and there is stiff competition for all these new jobs,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Ronny Congleton. “Texans searching for work can look to TWC for assistance at workforce centers across the state and on WorkInTexas.com.”

Education and Health Services employment recorded gains of 14,800 positions in April for a total of 65,400 jobs over the past year.  Employment in Professional and Business Services increased for the fourth month in a row, gaining 7,900 jobs in April. Other Services employment grew by 7,500 jobs and Financial Activities added 500 jobs in April. 

“Texas employers added jobs in eight of 11 industries in April, offering opportunities to a diverse pool of job seekers,” said TWC Commissioner Representing the Public Andres Alcantar. “TWC and the 28 workforce boards are committed to connecting Texas workers with available jobs.”

The Amarillo and Midland Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) were tied for the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 5.6 percent. College Station-Bryan and Lubbock MSAs also tied for the second lowest unemployment rate in April at 5.9 percent, followed by Abilene at 6.3 percent (not seasonally adjusted).  
                                                                     
Audio downloads from TWC Chairman Tom Pauken on latest labor market data are available at the following link:
http://www.twc.state.tx.us/news/press/2010/praudio10.html.