1. (a) Boards shall ensure that their strategic planning process includes an analysis of the local labor market to:

   1. (1) determine employer needs;
   2. (2) determine emerging, targeted, and in-demand occupations and the earning potential of those occupations;
   3. (3) determine skill requirements of local in-demand occupations; and
   4. (4) identify job vacancy listings and the skills necessary to obtain the jobs identified in the listings, which include those with a potential for career advancement.

2. (b) Boards shall set local policies for a Trade service strategy to:

   1. (1) assist dislocated workers eligible for Trade benefits in obtaining suitable employment as an alternative to referral to training;
   2. (2) promote the use of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) career services to support successful reemployment; and
   3. (3) assist in employment retention and career advancement.

3. (c) Boards shall ensure that dislocated workers eligible for Trade benefits receive the following services:

   1. (1) Explanation of benefits and services available under the Trade Act, to include applicable deadlines;
   2. (2) Assessment of education, skills, and service needs;
   3. (3) Information on training available locally and regionally, including information on how to apply for financial aid supported under the Higher Education Act of 1965;
   4. (4) Individual and group career counseling, including job search and placement counseling during the period the trade-affected worker is receiving TRA or training;
   5. (5) Short-term prevocational services;
   6. (6) Issuance of a waiver of the training requirement where suitable work is unavailable, training is determined not to be feasible or appropriate, and the worker meets applicable eligibility criteria;
   7. (7) Development of an IEP;
   8. (8) Referral to training services where suitable employment is unavailable;
   9. (9) Assistance in filing requests for job search and/or relocation allowances;
   10. (10) Support services available under the WIOA Title I dislocated worker program;
   11. (11) Employment and case management services;
   12. (12) Follow-up services during and upon completion of training; and
   13. (13) Provision of employment statistics information, including the provision of accurate information relating to local, regional, and national labor market areas.

Source Note:The provisions of this §849.3 adopted to be effective November 24, 2003, 28 TexReg 10510; amended to be effective January 12, 2015, 40 TexReg 270; amended to be effective July 18, 2022, 47 TexReg 4143.