0,000+ in tuition and fees for in-demand occupations), and connections to apprenticeships. Every state has a workforce agency that oversees unemployment insurance, labor market information, and rapid response services for laid-off workers. Registered Apprenticeship programs pay workers while they train for skilled trades (electrician, plumber, HVAC, heavy equipment, and increasingly healthcare and IT). For formerly incarcerated fathers, state Department of Labor reentry programs and organizations like the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) provide transitional jobs and placement. This directory includes AJCs, workforce boards, apprenticeship programs, and reentry services.
18 Resources
1. Texas Workforce Commission — WorkInTexas.com — Free
Official state job matching portal at workintexas.com. Post resumes, search thousands of job openings, access labor market data, and connect with local Workforce Solutions career counselors. Free to use 24/7 with a registered account. The system matches your skills and experience to available jobs. Career counselors at Workforce Solutions offices can help optimize your profile. Covers job openings across all industries and regions throughout Texas.
(512) 463-2222 · 101 E 15th St, Austin, TX 78778 · Online 24/7; office Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website
2. Texas Workforce Solutions — Career Centers — Free
Statewide network of 28 local workforce boards operating career centers in every Texas region. Free job search computers, resume help, career counseling, skills assessments, and training referrals available at no cost. Walk in or call to schedule an appointment with a career counselor. Centers serve all Texas job seekers including fathers re-entering the workforce after job loss, incarceration, or military separation. Find your nearest center at twc.texas.gov/workforce-solutions-offices.
(512) 463-2222 · Multiple locations statewide · Most Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website
3. NCP Choices — Noncustodial Parent Employment — Free
Joint OAG/TWC program for unemployed and underemployed noncustodial parents behind on child support. Personal career counselor, job placement, training, GED/ESL classes, and work-related expense support included. Completing the program may reduce the risk of license suspension or other enforcement actions. Ask your OAG child support caseworker or local Workforce Solutions office about NCP Choices enrollment eligibility and availability in your Texas county or region.
(800) 628-5115 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website
4. SNAP Employment & Training (SNAP E&T) — Free
Helps SNAP recipients gain skills and find employment through education, job training, and job search assistance. May include transportation assistance, work tools, uniforms, and childcare support. Enrollment is automatic for many SNAP recipients. Contact your local Workforce Solutions office or HHS to learn about SNAP E&T participation requirements and available services. Fathers receiving SNAP can access training programs and job placement support at no additional cost.
(512) 463-2222 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website
5. Federal Bonding Program — Texas — Free
Free fidelity bonds for at-risk job seekers including those with criminal records, addiction history, or dishonorable discharge. Bonds cover the first six months of work and protect employers from theft or dishonesty, making it easier to get hired. Ask at any Workforce Solutions center to apply. No cost to the job seeker or employer. Bonds range from $5,000 to 5,000 in coverage. Available to Texas fathers with barriers to employment who need to rebuild employer trust.
(512) 463-2222 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website
6. Houston Area Urban League — Workforce Development — Free
Job readiness training, resume assistance, career counseling, industry certifications, and employment placement in Houston. Programs cover healthcare, IT, skilled trades, logistics, and customer service fields. Located at the Houston Area Urban League. Call or visit their website for current program schedules and enrollment information. Programs are designed to help low-income adults and fathers build career skills and connect to living-wage employment opportunities in the greater Houston area.
(713) 393-8783 · 1301 Texas Avenue, Houston, TX 77002 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website
7. Goodwill Houston — Career & Connect Centers — Free
Free career centers with resume prep, interview coaching, digital literacy, career pathways, and job placement at multiple Houston locations including Heights, Meyerland, and River Oaks. No income requirement to use career services. Drop in or call to schedule an appointment. Career specialists help job seekers identify strengths, build professional documents, and connect with Houston-area employers across many industries. Free computer access available for job searches and applications.
(832) 431-4471 · 215 W. 20th St, Houston, TX 77008 · Mon-Fri 9-5 · Visit Website
8. Goodwill San Antonio — Good Careers Centers — Free
Free one-on-one career coaching, resume updates, job preparation, and computer lab access for San Antonio area job seekers at Goodwill's Good Careers Centers. No income requirement to use services. Drop in or call for an appointment. Career specialists help you build a professional resume, prepare for interviews, and connect with San Antonio employers. Free internet and computer access available. Services open to all adults seeking employment in the greater San Antonio and Bexar County area.
(210) 924-8581 · San Antonio, TX (multiple locations) · Mon-Fri 9-5
9. SBA Texas — District Offices — Free
Six Texas district offices offering free small business counseling, loan programs, and development resources for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Houston: (713) 773-6500, DFW: (817) 684-5500, San Antonio: (210) 403-5900. Services include free business plan reviews, loan application assistance, and connections to SBA-backed lenders. Fathers starting businesses can access low-interest SBA loans and free expert advice from local district office counselors.
(713) 773-6500 · 8701 S Gessner Dr, Suite 1200, Houston, TX 77074 · Mon-Fri 8-4:30 · Visit Website
10. SCORE Texas — Free Business Mentoring — Free
Free confidential one-on-one mentoring by experienced entrepreneurs and business executives. Texas chapters in Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio with in-person, phone, or Zoom meeting options. Mentors provide guidance on business plans, marketing, finance, and operations. Visit score.org to find a Texas chapter and request a free mentor match. Unlimited sessions available at no cost. Fathers starting or growing a business can benefit from personalized advice from someone who has built one.
(512) 928-2425 · Multiple Texas chapters · By appointment · Visit Website
11. Goodwill Dallas — Pathways to Placement — Free
Connects Dallas-area job seekers with upskilling and job placement including a free Medical Assistant Training Program and other career certifications through Goodwill Career & Technical Academy. No income requirement for career services. Call or visit for enrollment and class schedules. Free resume prep, interview coaching, and computer access also available. Goodwill's Pathways to Placement program helps fathers with barriers to employment find living-wage jobs in the DFW metro area.
(214) 638-2800 · 3020 N. Westmoreland Rd., Dallas, TX 75212 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website
12. Project Quest — San Antonio Career Training — Free
Nonprofit workforce development program in San Antonio training low-income adults for healthcare, IT, manufacturing, and skilled trades careers. Tuition, books, and wraparound support services are covered for eligible participants. Call Project Quest for intake information and current program availability. Income eligibility required. Programs lead to industry-recognized certifications and credentials. Fathers seeking career-track employment in San Antonio can access comprehensive training at no upfront cost.
(210) 270-4690 · 301 S Frio St, Suite 400, San Antonio, TX 78207 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website
13. Workforce Solutions Alamo — San Antonio — Free
Career center network serving Bexar and 11 surrounding counties in San Antonio. Job search, resume help, career coaching, training scholarships, and childcare assistance for working families. Walk in or call for an appointment at any of their locations across the San Antonio area. Free to all job seekers. Training scholarships may fund industry certifications in healthcare, IT, trades, and business. Fathers can access childcare subsidies alongside employment services at Workforce Solutions Alamo.
(210) 224-4357 · 100 N Santa Rosa Ave, San Antonio, TX 78207 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website
14. Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas — Free
Career center for Dallas County job seekers. Job search computers, resume workshops, career coaching, training funds, and employer connections all available at no cost. Walk in or call for an appointment at any Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas location. Staff help fathers identify job leads, improve resumes, prepare for interviews, and access training scholarships. Veterans receive priority service. Find locations at workforcesolutionstexas.com for Dallas County offices and hours.
(214) 290-1000 · Multiple Dallas County locations · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website
15. Year Up — Dallas/Fort Worth — Free
Free one-year career development program in DFW for young adults 18-29. Six months of technical training plus a paid six-month corporate internship. Focus on IT, financial operations, and business operations. No college degree required to apply. Year Up covers training costs and provides a weekly stipend during the program. Young fathers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area who want to launch a professional career can apply at yearup.org for the next available program cohort.
(857) 284-6200 · Dallas, TX · Full-time program · Visit Website
16. Career Source Texas — Job Search Portal — Free
Free online portal aggregating job openings from multiple sources across Texas. Resume builder, skills matcher, and salary research tools help job seekers find the right opportunities. No account required to search job listings. Create a free account to save searches and post your resume for employer review. Covers openings across all industries in every Texas city and region. A useful supplemental tool alongside the official workintexas.com portal for Texas job seekers.
Online 24/7 · Visit Website
17. Workforce Solutions Tarrant County (Fort Worth) — Free
Career centers serving Tarrant County with job placement, skills training, career coaching, and employer events at multiple locations across Fort Worth and Arlington. Free to all job seekers. Walk in or call for an appointment. Staff help fathers build resumes, prepare for interviews, and access training scholarships for in-demand industries. Veterans receive priority service. Find your nearest location at workforcesolutionstexas.com for Tarrant County offices serving the Fort Worth area.
(817) 413-4400 · 1320 S. University Dr, Suite 600, Fort Worth, TX 76107 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website
18. Goodwill Central Texas — Career Centers (Austin) — Free
Free career services including resume help, interview prep, computer classes, and job placement across Austin and Central Texas. Good Careers Academy offers free professional certifications in healthcare, IT, and business. Multiple Central Texas locations. No income requirement for career services. Drop in or call to schedule an appointment. Fathers in the Austin area looking to advance their careers or switch industries can access free certifications and placement support at Goodwill Central Texas.
(512) 637-7580 · 1015 Norwood Park Blvd, Austin, TX 78753 · Mon-Fri 9-5 · Visit Website