Area Resources Keep Odessa Working!

The Workforce Development Office is the bridge that brings it all together – helping businesses find the talent they need, connecting individuals to training and career opportunities, and bringing together community resources to strengthen our region’s economy.  Whether you are an employer looking for solutions or a job seeker ready to grow, we are here to help make connections that matter.

For more information about programs or to discuss how we can support your workforce needs,  contact Monica Tschauner at Monica@odessaecodev.com or (432) 333-7886.

Resources

Education & Training

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin (UTPB) offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering, education, health sciences and arts & sciences to a diverse community of nearly 7,000 students. The college has been named a Top 10 Texas college and has more than 75+ undergraduate and graduate degrees.

The UTPB Center for Energy and Economic Diversification is the home for innovation at UTPB. Startups, research, industry collaboration and entrepreneurship opportunities are all located at the CEED. The building has 30,000 square feet of workforce development, research, innovation, and commercialization space including leasable office spaces, a coworking suite, wet lab space, a makerspace, conference/event space, and a full-service cafe.

Odessa College (OC) offers more than 120 Associate and Certificate Degree programs, including more than 30 occupational/technical programs targeted to meet the workforce demands of the region. Its Continuing Education and Workforce Training program is a broad spectrum of short-term, non-credit courses and training plans. 

The OC Fab Lab Permian Basin is designed to teach students to become 21st-century entrepreneurs by  training/workshops on design thinking, the use of the Fab Lab equipment, prototyping and maker-based entrepreneurship. Bring ideas into the real world through digital fabrication, programming and electronics. Equipment includes a virtual reality platform, laser engravers, milling machines, computers and more. Custom trainings available.

Employers across Texas value workforce readiness skills, more commonly known as “soft skills.” The Texas Workforce Commission’s (TWC) Skills for Success (SFS) Program can help employers by funding workforce training in essential skills such as communication, organization, teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, digital literacy, conflict resolution, and time management. 

The Skillpoint Alliance helps fill the need for electrical workers in the commercial and residential construction industry as well as the energy sector. They offer four-week, full-time, FREE training programs for pre-apprentice electrical and HVAC.

The Texas Tech Health Sciences Center campus in Odessa is a premier learning environment for students seeking bachelor’s and doctorate degrees in medicine, nursing and other health professions. The school is a top provider of health-related continuing education opportunities as well. 

The Ector County Independent School District Career & Technical Education program prepares high school students for high skill, high demand occupations. Programs include Construction, Welding, Health Sciences, Engineering & Robotics, Fashion and more.

Career Services

Workforce Solutions of the Permian Basin provides help in job searches, resume writing and interview prep. They also offer specialized job services, helping people with disabilities prepare for or retain employment, help youth prepare for college and careers, and help Veterans search for jobs, receive priority service and access transition assistance and benefits. 

Odessa College Career Services hosts annual career fairs to assist job seekers with resume prep and headshots. Similarly, UTPB Career Services assists students with resumes, headshots and internship and job placements.

Business & Employer Resources

Workforce Solutions of the Permian Basin offers a number of services to help employers recruit, screen and provide access to an extensive applicant pool. Employers can also use their facilities for hiring events. Odessa College offers custom training opportunities for area businesses looking to upskill their employees, often at no cost to businesses. 

The Small Business Development Center at UT Permian Basin offers no-cost business consulting and low-cost training to new and existing businesses. Small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs can come to us for face-to-face business consulting and at zero-cost training on a variety of topics. 

Community & Support Services

Permian Basin Workforce Solutions offers financial assistance for child care services to low-income families in the Permian Basin. The goal of the child care program is to help families who meet income level requirements to become self-sufficient by providing child care services. The child care program also strives to support the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of children through parent education, provider mentorship, support and the promotion of school readiness.

Odessa College Office of Veterans Affairs offers support and assistance for veterans, including assisting with education benefits, community resources, tutoring and degree plans.

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin also offers support for veterans in their Veteran & Military Support Services department. The department will assist with education benefits, community resources and more. 

The Catholic Charities Adult Learning Center is dedicated to creating educational opportunities for its students. Class offerings include Financial Literacy, GED Preparation, ESL and Citizenship Preparation Class.