Texas. State Manpower Services Council

In 1973, the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) was passed by the U.S. Congress, as Public Law 93-203. The establishment of the State Manpower Services Council was a direct result of this act. The purpose of CETA was to establish a system of federal, state, and local programs to provide job training and employment opportunities for economically disadvantaged, unemployed, and underemployed persons. Funds were granted to prime sponsors, which could be states, counties and/or cities with a population of 100,000 or more, and certain combinations of local governments.

Prime sponsors provided any type of manpower services which enabled individuals to secure and retain employment at their maximum capacity. Services provided included outreach, classroom and on-the-job training, recruitment, orientation, counseling, testing, placement, allowances, supportive services, payments or inducements to public or private employers to expand job opportunities, and transitional public service employment programs. Prime sponsors were required to submit a comprehensive manpower plan to the U.S. Secretary of Labor, which included performance goals, geographic areas to be served, and assurances. They also had to appoint and staff a Manpower Planning Council. In Texas, the majority of prime sponsors for manpower programs have been multigovernments, usually referred to as consortia; many populous counties and cities have operated as single prime sponsors. Areas of the state not covered by these prime sponsors, known as Balance of the State (BOS), have been represented by the Governor.

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