2019 Bastrop Youth Career Day

The City of Bastrop, Bastrop Economic Development Corporation, Bastrop Chamber of Commerce, and Workforce Solutions have once again partnered with Bastrop Independent School District to host the Annual Bastrop Youth Career Day. This will be the fifth year for the event and will be from 9:00 a.m. to noon on April 12, 2019 at the Jerry Fay Wilhelm Performing Arts Center.

This year’s keynote speaker will be Julian Alvarez III is the Commissioner Representing Labor of the Texas Workforce Commission. Gov. Greg Abbott reappointed him to the three-member Commission on March 7, 2017.  His Commission appointment expires February 1, 2023. 

As Labor Commissioner, Julian Alvarez represents the interests of more than 13 million Texas workers with respect to TWC services and ensures that their concerns are considered in all Commission actions.

Prior to his appointment, Commissioner Alvarez served as president and CEO of the Rio Grande Valley Partnership fostering relationships and coordinating programs to advance regional economic development and employment opportunities. He also served as a Texas regional director for the U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson advising on legislative and policy issues related to South Texas. Prior to that, Alvarez served on the South Texas Drug Task Force as a state trooper for the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). After his service with DPS, Alvarez inspired stewardship and leadership as the director of college information for Texas State Technical College in Harlingen.

Leo Cardenas, a public speaker, coach, consultant and trainer, will be leading a session about the importance of soft skills. And new to the Youth Career Day this year will be a “Completing an application” demo. There will also be vocational training and post-secondary educators on hand to interact with the students, as well as military recruiters and first responders. Job coaching will also be available for the students. Circuit of The Americas is even bringing a race car again this year!

Juniors and seniors from Bastrop ISD High Schools can ask questions, practice interview skills, and learn about current and future employment trends. Employers will be able to scout future employees, market their brand/name, and spread the word about their career opportunities. Students will also get a chance to learn about their summer job options.

“The youth job fair is a great opportunity for the students at Bastrop ISD,” added Les Hudson, director of Career and Technical Education at BISD, about last year’s Youth Career Day. “This job fair will create a conduit between the businesses that need employees and the students looking for career opportunities in the Bastrop area. This is also a great opportunity for our graduates that are going off to college to see that Bastrop has a lot to offer when they get their degree.”