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 demand occupations;
   3. (3) identify employment opportunities, which include those with a potential for career advancement; and
   4. (4) identify employer-based training opportunities.

2. (b) Boards shall set local policies for a Trade service strategy that coordinate various service delivery approaches 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 WIA core and intensive services to support the rapid reattachment to the workforce;
   3. (3) refer to prevocational and vocational training in demand and targeted occupations, or occupations in which there is a reasonable expectation of employment; and
   4. (4) assist in job retention and career advancement.
3. (c) Boards shall ensure that dislocated workers eligible for Trade benefits, who are unable to find suitable employment through WIA core services, are coenrolled in WIA Title I dislocated worker services consistent with WIA eligibility criteria, the needs of the worker, and the policies and procedures of the Board. The coenrollment of workers into WIA Title I dislocated worker services shall not interfere with the timely provision of TAA services.

4. (d) 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 career counseling, including job search and placement counseling;
   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 REP;
   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 WIA Title I dislocated worker program;
   11. (11) Case management; and
   12. (12) Follow-up services upon completion of training.

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.