WELCOME TO SPEAR

Connecting
the Possibilities

Student Pathways for Economic Advancement of the Region (SPEAR) is dedicated to connecting the educational pathway partnerships between our Deep East Texas students, parents, educators and employers!

Your Success, Our Priority 

SPEAR is here to help students connect with the best careers and find local job or training opportunities in Deep East Texas.

We provide you with a deep dive into sixteen of the most in-demand careers in some of the fastest-growing industries in Texas.

Our website equips you with resources for career planning, including stats on the best schools, training, and job opportunities in East Texas. 

Discover careers that spark your curiosity, and find ways you can get started now at your school or nearby in Deep East Texas.

A young student who looks interested in something
A young student who looks interested in something

For Students

Find what gets you excited. See which careers are booming in Texas right now, specifically Deep East Texas, and compare things like salary, job outlook, and what degree or certification you might need.

Parent helping student prepare for career, college planning, finding jobs

For Parents

Help support your student(s) and explore careers alongside them! Find work-based learning opportunities available nearby in East Texas now, with resources for training, trade schools, colleges, internships, and more.

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For Employers

Local employers can partner with SPEAR in multiple ways. If you offer tours, guest speakers, work programs, internships, apprenticeships, and/or entry-level jobs in Deep East Texas, we'd love to hear from you!

NEWS

Deep East Texas Hiring, Training, Job Fair Workshops & Upcoming Events

Shelby County - Get Prep'd: Dependability Workshop in Center, TX

MON, DEC 09, 2024 • 10:00am - 11:00am
This workshop covers what traits make someone dependable, the importance of integrity, and the big 3 of reliability.
Learn more

Angelina County - Get Prep'd: Problem Solving Workshop in Lufkin, TX

MON, DEC 09, 2024 • 2:00pm - 3:00pm
This workshop covers the problem-solving method, learning from our successes and mistakes, and evaluating solutions.
Learn more

San Jacinto County - Workforce Solutions in Coldspring, TX

Tue, Dec 10, 2024 • 10:00am - 12:30pm
Meet us at the Coldspring Area Public Library (14221 Hwy 150 W., Coldspring, TX) for the latest opportunities available to help you train and prepare for your life’s work!
Learn more

Online Virtual Workshop - Get Prep'd: Remaining Focused

Tue, Dec 10, 2024 • 10:00am - 11:00am
This workshop will show participants how to organize their lives and find those hidden moments. Let's remove those distractions and beat procrastination!
Learn more

Nacogdoches, TX - WorkInTexas.com Workshop

Tue, Dec 10, 2024 • 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Workshop offered in person in Nacogdoches. Learn tips on maximizing the powerful job search tool, WorkInTexas.com
Learn more

Newton County - Workforce Solutions Workshop in Newton, TX

Wed, Dec 11, 2024 • 9:00am - 12:00pm
Workforce Solutions is coming to Newton County (Newton County Public Library, 212 High St., Newton, TX) with the latest tools available to help you train and prepare for your life’s work.
Learn more

Enhancing Educational Pathways for Deep East Texas

The Deep East Texas region is located within the Southeast corner of Texas, commonly referred to as the Pineywoods. The region is comprised of the following 12 counties – Angelina, Houston, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity, and Tyler. Industries driving the region’s economy include manufacturing, health care, wholesale trade, construction, oil/gas extraction and education.

Workforce Solutions Deep East Texas (WSDET) was awarded one of the seventeen 2023-2024 Tri-Agency Grant for Regional Conveners in April 2023. The WSDET Regional Convening staff coordinated the formation of a cross-sectional partnership pathways leadership team, called SPEAR (Student Pathways for Economic Advancement of the Region). Team members represent secondary (K-12 schools), post-secondary education (IHE-Institutes of Higher Education), Education Service Centers (ESCs), Economic Development Corporations (EDCs), and Regional Employers.

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