Shaping Texas’ Future: Commissioner Joe Esparza on Veterans, Employers, and Childcare

01/07/25 • 31 min

What innovative strategies is TWC Commissioner Joe Esparza using to support veterans and small businesses in the Texas workforce?

Join Tamara Atkinson and the Commissioner, as Joe shares his unique journey from selling perfumes to becoming a significant figure in Texas workforce development, drawing from his experience as a Marine Corps veteran. There are pressing workforce challenges in Texas, including childcare access, support for employers, and job opportunities for veterans. Commissioner Esparza dives into these challenges and shares the programs and initiatives TWC is leading to address them.

The Commissioner emphasizes the importance of equipping students and educators through programs like the Texas Interns Network and teacher externships, aiming to bridge the gap between education and industry. He explains how veterans play a critical role in the Texas workforce - focusing on their leadership and problem-solving skills. Joe also advocates for enhanced childcare solutions to support working families. Throughout the episode, Joe provides personal anecdotes and professional insights, and shares a comprehensive exploration of workforce challenges and opportunities in Texas.
Joe Esparza is one of three TWC Commissioners, and currently serves as the Commissioner Representing Employers, a position to which Governor Abbott appointed him in November of 2023. In this role, he advocates for over 660,000 Texas employers and more than 3 million small businesses, helping them grow and succeed across the state. Prior to this, Esparza served as Texas Deputy Secretary of State, beginning in December 2018, and as a Senior Appointments Manager in Governor Abbott's office. A Texas Tech University graduate with a degree in Agricultural Communications, Esparza is also a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, having served in Iraq during the Global War on Terrorism.

In This Episode:

(00:00) Tamara welcomes Joe Esparza, the commissioner’s first job as a “Squirt Flirt”
(06:53) Joe’s military background and support for veterans and the next generation of the workforce (K-12 students) through his role as Commissioner
(10:00) Red White & You events, Veterans Day, celebrating 249 years of the Marine Corps, unemployment insurance assistance for employers
(16:16) Fortune 500 companies moving to Texas, partnering with training providers to find their workforces, pathways for high school students
(19:00) Surprising learnings from the Commissioner’s first year in office, what he's hearing from employers and families on the impact of child care on the workforce, upskilling grants, learnings from the pandemic
(25:56) Addressing legislative goals for future workforce development, future challenges and opportunities for TWC and the Texas workforce, investing in students and educators, looking into the next year, reinvigorating the industry with tech and AI
(31:00) Closing thoughts - resources
Like and subscribe to hear all of our informative upcoming episodes!

About the show:

Austin Hires Local, powered by Workforce Solutions Capital Area and hosted by WFS CEO Tamara Atkinson, dives deep with the trailblazers who are shaping the future of jobs in our city, our state, and even nationally. We pull back the curtain on the challenges we all face – the anxieties, the roadblocks, and what's holding us back from filling those critical open positions. But hey, it's not all doom and gloom. We also celebrate the victories: the ingenious solutions, the unexpected collaborations, and the best practices that are making us all sharper. You’ll hear guests from all sides of the table – elected officials with a finger on the pulse of the economy, industry leaders from booming sectors like tech, healthcare, and skilled trades, and educators shaping young minds in our schools and post-secondary education programs. So, tune in and get ready to be informed, inspired, and maybe even surprised by the future of work in Austin.

Resources:

Texas Guidebook for Employers

Office of the Commissioner Representing Employers

TWC Red, White & You Job Fairs
Workforce Solutions Capital Area

Tamara Atkinson LinkedIn

Thank you to our sponsor: Texas Mutual

About Workforce Solutions Capital Area:
Workforce Solutions is the state-designated authority for the dat...

What innovative strategies is TWC Commissioner Joe Esparza using to support veterans and small businesses in the Texas workforce?

In This Episode:

(00:00) Tamara welcomes Joe Esparza, the commissioner’s first job as a “Squirt Flirt”
(06:53) Joe’s military background and support for veterans and the next generation of the workforce (K-12 students) through his role as Commissioner
(10:00) Red White & You events, Veterans Day, celebrating 249 years of the Marine Corps, unemployment insurance assistance for employers
(16:16) Fortune 500 companies moving to Texas, partnering with training providers to find their workforces, pathways for high school students
(19:00) Surprising learnings from the Commissioner’s first year in office, what he's hearing from employers and families on the impact of child care on the workforce, upskilling grants, learnings from the pandemic
(25:56) Addressing legislative goals for future workforce development, future challenges and opportunities for TWC and the Texas workforce, investing in students and educators, looking into the next year, reinvigorating the industry with tech and AI
(31:00) Closing thoughts - resources
Like and subscribe to hear all of our informative upcoming episodes!

About the show:

Resources:

Texas Guidebook for Employers

Office of the Commissioner Representing Employers

TWC Red, White & You Job Fairs
Workforce Solutions Capital Area

Tamara Atkinson LinkedIn

Thank you to our sponsor: Texas Mutual

About Workforce Solutions Capital Area:
Workforce Solutions is the state-designated authority for the dat...

Previous Episode

"The Courteous Commissioner”: Alberto Treviño on Building a Better Texas Workforce

Why is the Texas Workforce Commission and workforce boards often referred to as one of the state's "best-kept secrets"—a label that suggests they may not be receiving the attention they deserve—and how are they impacting the lives of workers and their families?
Today on Austin Hires Local, Tamara Atkinson welcomes Texas Workforce Commissioner Alberto Treviño, a seasoned law enforcement veteran turned labor advocate. Commissioner Treviño speaks about the challenges and opportunities within workforce development, drawing from his many years of experience in law enforcement and border patrol. We examine how rapid growth within organizations can test the mettle of leadership, as well as the importance of unions in addressing issues such as scheduling and resources. Treviño highlights the crucial work of the Texas Workforce Commission in aligning skills with market demands, including programs such as registered apprenticeship that provide valuable training opportunities. The dedication of the Texas Workforce Commission and workforce boards has had a profound impact on workers and families, and you’ll soon discover why they’re one of the state's "best-kept secrets”.

Alberto Treviño III serves as the Commissioner Representing Labor for the Texas Workforce Commission. He was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to the three-member Commission and confirmed by the Texas Senate in 2023. Commissioner Treviño is retired from the U.S. Border Patrol, and has served over 30 years in law enforcement as an agent, police instructor, background investigator and patrol officer. He also served as treasurer and executive vice president for the Local 3307 of the National Border Patrol.

In This Episode:

(00:00) Red Solo Cup mixups, school nicknames, first job repairing sewing machines
(05:21) "Flat CAT" (a nod to Flat Stanley) to help the CAT (“Commissioner Alberto Treviño”) travel across Texas so he could "be everywhere at once", interesting places CAT went
(08:45) What inspired the Commissioner to get interested in law enforcement? His extensive 33-year career, leadership style, and what factors influence his approach
(12:50) Union experience and lessons learned on the Border Patrol, continuing services as an intermediary between workers and employers, a humorous anecdote
(17:25) Giving back to the community, Knights of Columbus, little league, and tennis roles
(21:30) An interesting pre-TSA airport story, learning critical phrases in seven languages
(23:40) Challenging and pressing issues in the state of Texas, solutions and approaches, apprenticeships, National Apprenticeship Week
(27:00) Closing thoughts
Like and subscribe to hear all of our informative upcoming episodes!

About the show: Austin Hires Local, powered by Workforce Solutions Capital Area and hosted by WFS CEO Tamara Atkinson, dives deep with the trailblazers who are shaping the future of jobs in our city, our state, and even nationally. We pull back the curtain on the challenges we all face – the anxieties, the roadblocks, and what's holding us back from filling those critical open positions. But hey, it's not all doom and gloom. We also celebrate the victories: the ingenious solutions, the unexpected collaborations, and the best practices that are making us all sharper. You’ll hear guests from all sides of the table – elected officials with a finger on the pulse of the economy, industry leaders from booming sectors like tech, healthcare, and skilled trades, and educators shaping young minds in our schools and post-secondary education programs. So, tune in and get ready to be informed, inspired, and maybe even surprised by the future of work in Austin.

Resources:

Office of the Commissioner Representing Labor Workforce Solutions Capital Area Tamara Atkinson LinkedInThank you to our sponsor: Texas Mutual

About Workforce Solutions Capital Area:
Workforce Solutions is the state-designated authority for the data-driven planning, oversight, and evaluation of workforce development activities in Austin-Travis County. They connect local people to the most in-demand industries with quality jobs. These specialized services are provided at no cost - including career training, apprenticeship programs, scholarships, job search assistance, child care assistance, tailored business solutions and more.

Next Episode

Austin Habitat for Humanity's Triple Impact of Homes, Community and Hope with Michele Anderson

Did you know you could own a home in Austin for $152,000? Discover how Austin Habitat for Humanity is making the impossible possible for Austin's workforce.
Join host Tamara Atkinson and Michele Anderson, CEO of Austin Habitat for Humanity, as they discuss Austin Habitat’s mission to provide affordable housing for the local workforce. Austin Habitat is ramping up efforts to build 75 homes per year for the next 7-10 years, focusing on making homeownership accessible to those earning $63K-$97K in median income. With homes starting at $152,000 for condos and $245,000 for single-family homes, Austin Habitat is helping essential workers like teachers, firefighters, and single parents achieve long-term financial stability.

Michele also highlights the importance of community building alongside affordable housing. Austin Habitat homeowners gain an average of $45,000 in equity over seven years, a step toward building generational wealth. The upcoming 2025 Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project in October will further strengthen local communities by engaging volunteers to help build homes. With down payment assistance and credit programs, Austin Habitat is breaking down barriers to homeownership while creating stronger, more stable communities throughout Austin and Central Texas.

Michele Anderson serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Austin Habitat for Humanity, overseeing operations across five counties, including Travis, Bastrop, Blanco, Caldwell, and Hays. After relocating from Virginia, Anderson has positioned Austin Habitat as a national innovator in affordable housing solutions, fostering partnerships between individuals, corporations, government entities, and developers. Under her leadership, the organization has committed to tripling its annual home production to serve more working families, helping them achieve financial stability through affordable homeownership and build generational wealth through equity.

In This Episode:

(00:00) Meeting Michele Anderson, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Austin, and her first job working at her mother's fabric store
(04:10) Michele's journey from Virginia to Austin and her path to Habitat for Humanity
(07:56) The mission of Habitat Austin and their unique approach to affordable housing, tripling home production to 75 homes per year for the next 7-10 years
(14:01) Habitat’s new furniture-building project using recycled plastic, the volunteer building/buying process, homeowner teaching opportunities, and quality assurance
(20:11) Timeline for getting into a home and removing barriers to homeownership
(24:11) Building hope and community - stories from homeowners
(27:02) Affordable housing price points (starting at $152K) and serving single mothers, partnerships with local government and builders, The Carter Work Project announcement - building 25 homes in one week
(31:35) Takeaways, closing thoughts and check out homes on the Habitat website!
Like and subscribe to hear all of our informative upcoming episodes!

Resources:

Austin Habitat Homeownership Opportunities

Austin Habitat for Humanity

Carter Work Project 2025 in Austin, TX

Workforce Solutions Capital Area
Tamara Atkinson LinkedIn