BRYAN, Tx — Over 40,000 Texans have filed for initial applications for unemployment benefits since the end of September.
”One of the things we’ve done is we offer virtual services all the time, but we have job search, we have resume writing, interview skills,” said Nathaniel Muir, business services manager for Texas Workforce Commission.
Although the Texas Workforce Commission was closed for in-person visits for a while, the organization never stopped providing necessary assistance to the communities they serve.
”Right now, times a little bit tough and people don’t have the same budget they did previously, so if they hire somebody on, we actually subsidize that for 8 weeks, they’re completely on our payroll,” said Muir.
A local Brazos Valley organization is also doing the best they can to provide assistance to those who need it during these trying times and all times.
”It’s an employment grant to help them find employment. We offer job training, we’re partnering with Blinn College,” said Amber Hills, case manager at Project Unity.
The fresh start for fresh vets is only one of many programs Project Unity utilizes to combat those struggling with poverty.
”Project unity as a whole...It’s really built on poverty reduction, so we want to set our clients up for success," said Hills.
The Texas Workforce Commission look ahead and remain hopeful as the holiday spirit kicks in.
”What were also counting on is Halloween is effectively canceled, but the holidays are still around the corner, so we’re hoping those season jobs will be there. We know that we spoke to Target recently and they plan to hire for this season and we hope to see that across the board,” said Muir.
The rate of unemployment for Bryan is 5% in comparison to College Station which sits at 4.2%.
There are over 3 million Texans who have filed for unemployment since mid-March, according to the Texas Tribune.
The unemployment rate is decreasing at a slow rate and of course this progression will not come without struggles.
According to Bankrate, economists suspect the unemployment rate to drop to 7% within the next year.