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.

The Governor, as Chief Planning Officer of the State, was required to coordinate policies, plans, and services for manpower programs throughout the state. The State Manpower Services Council (SMSC), established on May 30, 1974, by Executive Order 14, was created to serve as an advisory body to assist the Governor in coordinating prime sponsor and State manpower activities. Council members were appointed by the Governor, according to a federally established representation formula--1/3 or more members were prime sponsors; one member each from the Board of Education, Texas Employment Commission, and other state agencies selected by the Governor; and representatives of organized labor, business and industry, community-based organizations, client groups served, and the general public. Members served for one year, later for indefinite terms. The Chair initially was designated to be the Director of the Division of Planning Coordination, later was changed to a Governor-appointed position.

Responsibilities of the Council were to review and monitor manpower plans and programs of prime sponsors and state agencies; make recommendations for improving the coordination and effectiveness of manpower activities and programs; aggregate the plans of prime sponsors into a statewide plan to be submitted, with the Governor's approval, to the Department of Labor; make an annual report to the Governor; and issue reports, studies and other documentation to assist prime sponsors.

The Council received staff support from the Governor's Office, Division of Planning Coordination, Human Resources Section. The staff obtained plans and modifications, operating and progress reports, and other materials used in reviews of manpower plans and for monitoring program activities and services; assisted in developing recommendations to the Governor, prime sponsors, state agencies, and the public; and provided administrative and management support to the Council. The Council used the services of several state agencies to assist with their manpower directives and activities.

The Texas Department of Community Affairs was the Governor's designee to act as prime sponsor for areas not covered by local prime sponsors, known as Balance of the State (BOS). This Department was also responsible for assuring the participation and cooperation of all state agencies with local and state-wide manpower programs. The Prime Sponsor Planning Council was created to act as an advisory body to the Texas Department of Community Affairs in its role as Balance of State Prime Sponsor.

The Texas Employment Commission worked with prime sponsors in identifying and referring potential clients to manpower program operations. They also assisted with the placement of manpower program trained clients. The Texas Education Agency provided or approved education programs and facilities for institutional training of manpower clients. A number of other state agencies worked with SMSC to provide helpful services to state and local manpower programs and clients.

From the guide to the Records, 1973-1979, (Repository Unknown)