Main Navigation

Related Resources

Become A Vendor-TEST

If your organization would like to become part of Workforce Solutions Vendor Network, you're in the right place!

Workforce Solutions uses a list of approved vendors to provide various services to customers. We solicit qualified organizations to be on our approved vendor list through an open application process.

We currently solicit vendors to provide four major services including, Education and Training Service, Work and Education Support Service, Outplacement Service and Child Care Service.

We invite organizations or individuals interested in being an approved vendor to submit an application. We have an open and on-going application process for the vendor list.

Please contact Karen Bailey to receive help with our application process.

Karen Bailey, Training Vendor Procurement Coordinator
Workforce Solutions Financial Aid Payment Office
karen.bailey@wrksolutions.com
(713) 975-7409 ext. 1068

Education and Training Service

We are looking for education and training vendors to provide occupational skills and basic skills training. Please read the sections below to understand where your program might fit.

Return To Top

Occupational Skills

Occupational skills education and training programs provide people with occupation-specific knowledge and skills. Programs may vary from traditional instructor-led classes to synchronous eLearning opportunities. Programs must award a competency-based credential (such as a certificate or degree). Examples of occupational skills education and training programs are registered nursing, welding and petroleum engineering.

We will only approve education and training programs that prepare people for employment in occupations on the Workforce Solutions High-Skill, High-Growth Occupations Supported by Scholarship List. To see our High-Skill, High-Growth Occupations Supported by Scholarship List.

How to become a vendor offering occupational skills programs:

Education and Training Vendor Standards & Guidelines
1. Regulation Status: All vendors must either be (1) licensed or approved by an applicable education regulating body such as, but not limited to, the Texas Education Agency (TEA), Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), Texas Workforce Commission Career Schools (TWC), or the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship; or (2) provide an exemption letter from TWC Career Schools (unregulated vendors). Please visit Career Schools for more information on how to become a licensed career school.
2. Course Catalog and Curriculum: We require vendors to have a published catalog that describes their courses, programs, services, cost to students, refund and attendance policies, and the criteria used to determine if students have successfully completed (graduated) from the program. We may ask vendors to provide us with a written copy of curricula.
3. Pricing Information: We pay the publicly advertised or published rate charged to any customer taking the course. We will not pay for services that are free to the public or to non-Workforce Solutions customers. For education and training provided over several semesters, vendors must provide the price for each semester.
4. Facility and Equipment Details: Vendors must have ADA-compliant facilities including equipment, textbooks, and software that provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. Vendors must own or lease the proposed training facility or have an agreement with the organization that does.
5. Financial Stability: Vendors, with the exception of public colleges and universities, must provide evidence of financial stability prepared by a Certified Public Accountant. Vendors cannot solely rely on funds from Workforce Solutions.
6. Record of Performance: Vendors must have been providing education and training services for at least one year, and we may ask for proof. We will not approve start-up organizations.
  
  We require vendors to submit a new application every year that includes performance information for their programs.
7. Instructor Credentials: We ask unregulated vendors to provide information about the credentials and experience of the instructors who will be providing service such as resumes and curriculum vitae.

How to Become an Approved Occupational Skills Training Vendor
- Occupational Skills Training - Are courses or programs that will prepare an individual to a job specific occupation (ex: Licensed Vocational Nurse, and Plumbers).
- We use an online, web-based system to process applications from prospective vendor organizations. In order to use this system to create and submit applications for approval, you must first have a User ID and Password
- Application renewal process
  All programs and services are approved for one year, Vendors must submit a renewal application to remain part of the Provider Network. If you need more information and are interested in submitting a renewal application to provide occupation-skills training, click here.

Submit an application to offer occupation skills education and training using the Texas Workforce Commission's Eligible Training Provider System.

Return To Top

Basic Skills

Basic skills are those skills that generally equip customers with the ability and understanding necessary to enter the workforce and be an active participant in work across a variety of occupations. We are looking for vendors who will provide:

Computer skills training (programs that teach customers non-job specific computer skills from introductory courses on how to use a computer to specific software products as the Microsoft Office Suite)
Adult basic education (programs that teach people basic literacy, remedial education or GED preparation or teach them how to speak, read or write English.

How to apply to become a vendor offering computer skills or adult basic education:

Education and Training Vendor Standards & Guidelines

Regulation Status: All vendors must either be (1) licensed or approved by an applicable education regulating body such as, but not limited to, the Texas Education Agency (TEA), Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), Texas Workforce Commission Career Schools (TWC), or the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship; or (2) provide an exemption letter from TWC Career Schools (unregulated vendors). Please visit Career Schools for more information on how to become a licensed career school.
Course Catalog and Curriculum: We require vendors to have a published catalog that describes their courses, programs, services, cost to students, refund and attendance policies, and the criteria used to determine if students have successfully completed (graduated) from the program. We may ask vendors to provide us with a written copy of curricula.
Pricing Information: We pay the publicly advertised or published rate charged to any customer taking the course. We will not pay for services that are free to the public or to non-Workforce Solutions customers. For education and training provided over several semesters, vendors must provide the price for each semester.
Facility and Equipment Details: Vendors must have ADA-compliant facilities including equipment, textbooks, and software that provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. Vendors must own or lease the proposed training facility or have an agreement with the organization that does.
Financial Stability: Vendors, with the exception of public colleges and universities, must provide evidence of financial stability prepared by a Certified Public Accountant. Vendors cannot solely rely on funds from Workforce Solutions.
Record of Performance: Vendors must have been providing education and training services for at least one year, and we may ask for proof. We will not approve start-up organizations.

We require vendors to submit a new application every year that includes performance information for their programs.
Instructor Credentials: We ask unregulated vendors to provide information about the credentials and experience of the instructors who will be providing service such as resumes and curriculum vitae.

How to Become an Approved Basic Skills Training Vendor
- Basic Skills Training - Are courses or programs that will generally equip customers with the ability and understanding necessary to enter the workforce and be an active participant in work across a variety of occupations. We've organized basic skills courses and programs into three different categories - those that teach computer skills, those teach adult basic education (literacy, remedial education and GED preparation), and those that teach job readiness skills.
- We provide an application form for vendors to complete and submit with the required attachments.
- Annual application renewal process
  We approve programs and services for one year. Vendors must submit a new application every year in order to remain a vendor. Complete and submit the same application form to stay on the vendors' list.

We are also looking for vendors who provide Job Readiness Skills Training (programs that teach customers non-technical skills and how to function in different work environments.)

Workshops may include an overview of a group of jobs or information about working in a specific industry. Workshops do not teach occupation-specific skills (how to do a job). For example, a job readiness skills course might provide customers with an overview of the construction industry, and teach them basic safety training and terminology used in a variety of construction jobs. Workshops may include instruction in problem-solving and other cognitive skills, oral communication skill, personal qualities and work ethics, and interpersonal and teamwork skills. (Note: We will not approve stand-alone courses that teach communication skills, problem-solving, team work, etc. They must be part of a larger, more comprehensive job readiness skills training course as described above.)We approve job readiness skills programs in response to employer demand.

How to apply to become a vendor offering job readiness skills courses:

Education and Training Vendor Standards & Guidelines
1. Regulation Status:All vendors must either be (1) licensed or approved by an applicable education regulating body such as, but not limited to, the Texas Education Agency (TEA), Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), Texas Workforce Commission Career Schools (TWC), or the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship; or (2) provide an exemption letter from TWC Career Schools (unregulated vendors). Please visit Career Schools for more information on how to become a licensed career school.
2. Course Catalog and Curriculum: We require vendors to have a published catalog that describes their courses, programs, services, cost to students, refund and attendance policies, and the criteria used to determine if students have successfully completed (graduated) from the program. We may ask vendors to provide us with a written copy of curricula.
3. Pricing Information: We pay the publicly advertised or published rate charged to any customer taking the course. We will not pay for services that are free to the public or to non-Workforce Solutions customers. For education and training provided over several semesters, vendors must provide the price for each semester.
4. Facility and Equipment Details: Vendors must have ADA-compliant facilities including equipment, textbooks, and software that provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. Vendors must own or lease the proposed training facility or have an agreement with the organization that does.
5. Financial Stability: Vendors, with the exception of public colleges and universities, must provide evidence of financial stability prepared by a Certified Public Accountant. Vendors cannot solely rely on funds from Workforce Solutions.
6. Record of Performance: Vendors must have been providing education and training services for at least one year, and we may ask for proof. We will not approve start-up organizations.
  
  We require vendors to submit a new application every year that includes performance information for their programs.
7. Instructor Credentials: We ask unregulated vendors to provide information about the credentials and experience of the instructors who will be providing service such as resumes and curriculum vitae.
How to Become an Approved Basic Skills Training Vendor
- Basic Skills Training - Are courses or programs that will generally equip customers with the ability and understanding necessary to enter the workforce and be an active participant in work across a variety of occupations. We've organized basic skills courses and programs into three different categories - those that teach computer skills, those teach adult basic education (literacy, remedial education and GED preparation), and those that teach job readiness skills.
- We provide an application form for vendors to complete and submit with the required attachments.
  1. Download, fill out, print, and sign the basic skills training vendor application form .
  2. Mail the application form with the required attachments to:
    Workforce Solutions Financial Aid Office
    ATTN: Karen Bailey
    PO Box 741361
    Houston, TX 77274-1361
  3. As a part of the application process, new applicants can expect to receive a visit from Workforce Solutions staff to their training facilities. You will be contacted to schedule a convenient time for the visit.
  4. Upon approval, a contract will be completed and sent for signature. Upon completion of the contract, you will be eligible to provide services to Workforce Solutions customers.
  5. All approved Basic Skill educational and training programs are listed at this web site. When your application has been reviewed and approved, it will be listed here.
    
    Application Process may take up to 60 days to complete
- Annual application renewal process
  We approve programs and services for one year. Vendors must submit a new application every year in order to remain a vendor. Complete and submit the same application form to stay on the vendors' list

Return To Top

Work and Education Support Service

Work and education support service vendors provide services that help customers obtain or maintain employment, or attend a work-related education and training program. We are currently seeking vendors who provide the following services:

Transportation
We are looking for certified Public Transit Providers vendors to help customers attend classes that prepare them for work, look for work, and get to work. We may ask approved transportation service vendors to expand their own transportation services or arrange transportation services for customers through other local transportation providers. We are looking for transportation service vendors in our thirteen county region which includes Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Waller, Walker and Wharton counties.

Foreign Language Translation and Interpreter Service

Interpretation - We are looking interpretation service vendor to help customers communicate with Workforce Solutions staff. Service may be provided either by telephone or in person.

Translation - We are looking for translation service vendors to help Workforce Solutions staff translate written documents into languages spoken by customers.

How to apply to become a vendor offering work and education support service:

Work & Education Support and Outplacement Vendor Standards & Guidelines
1. Pricing Information: Workforce Solutions will pay the publicly advertised (published) rate charged to any customer receiving services from the vendor. Workforce Solutions provides aid to customers. Payments to vendors are made because of financial aid given to Workforce Solutions customers, not as a reimbursement for costs vendors have incurred. Workforce Solutions will not pay for services that are free to the public or to non-Workforce Solutions customers. Vendors should provide pricing on a per unit basis, so that Workforce Solutions can authorize individual levels of service per customer.
2. Facility and Equipment Details: Vendors who provide services at their facilities must have ADA-compliant facilities including any necessary equipment that provides reasonable accommodations for customers with disabilities. Workforce Solutions will do an on-site visit as part of our review process. Vendors may be required to provide documentation that they own or lease the proposed facility. If the vendor does not own or lease the facility but has an agreement with the organization that does, the vendor must provide documentation that it has on-going access to adequate facilities that are ADA compliant.
3. Organizational Capacity / Record of Performance: Organizations seeking to be a part of our Vendor Network are required to provide proof they have the capacity to provide the services on the application and that they are been providing similar service to for at least one year. All vendors must have a record of at least one year providing services prior to applying. We will not approve start-up organizations.
  
  Organizations that have been providing services as a part of our Vendor Network are required to renew their application on a periodic basis. At renewal, Workforce Solutions will evaluate the usefulness and cost efficiency of the services provided by the vendor. Upon this review, services may be removed from the approved list if they do not meet the current needs of Workforce Solutions customers.

How to Become an Approved Work & Education Support Service Vendor
- We provide an application for vendors to complete and submit with the required attachments.
- Annual application renewal process
  We approve programs and services for one year. Vendors must submit a new application every year in order to remain a vendor. Complete and submit the same application form to stay on the vendors’ list.

Return To Top

Outplacement Service

We may provide outplacement service to large numbers of customers who have been laid off. Vendors must offer the services in settings for groups of fifty (50) or more people, and we expect services to be offered at the employer site which can be anywhere in our 13 county region. We are looking for vendors to offer the following types of service.

Job Search Workshops - provide customers with information and instructions on how to effectively look for work. Workshops may include one ore more of the topics listed below:

Career planning and skills evaluation
Job search techniques
Preparing job applications
Developing a resume or work history data sheet
Effective interviewing skills and salary negotiation
How to organize and manage an effective job search
Developing and maintaining your network
Using the internet to secure a job or job lead
Local labor market information
Using community resources

Change/Stress Management Workshops - provide customers with effective strategies for coping with job loss and change, and provide information on the stages of job loss and the impact it has on one's family.

Financial/Debt Management Workshops - provide information on financial issues that may arise when someone is laid off, techniques on financial planning, negotiating manageable payment schedules with mortgage and other lending institutions, and handling retirement and tax deferred accounts.

Emergency Crisis Counseling - provide customers with round the clock access to personal counseling service. Services are targeted to customers who engage in "at risk behavior" and provide emergency crisis interventions. Providers must be licensed mental health professionals.

Introduction to Entrepreneurship Workshops - provide customers with information on starting and operating a business, skills and resources (such as the Small Business Administration) needed to start a business, strategies for developing a business plan, and techniques for raising venture capital.

How to apply to become a vendor offering outplacement service:

Education and Training Vendor Standards & Guidelines
1. Regulation Status: All vendors must either be (1) licensed or approved by an applicable education regulating body such as, but not limited to, the Texas Education Agency (TEA), Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), Texas Workforce Commission Career Schools (TWC), or the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship; or (2) provide an exemption letter from TWC Career Schools (unregulated vendors). Please visit Career Schools for more information on how to become a licensed career school.
2. Course Catalog and Curriculum: We require vendors to have a published catalog that describes their courses, programs, services, cost to students, refund and attendance policies, and the criteria used to determine if students have successfully completed (graduated) from the program. We may ask vendors to provide us with a written copy of curricula.
3. Pricing Information: We pay the publicly advertised or published rate charged to any customer taking the course. We will not pay for services that are free to the public or to non-Workforce Solutions customers. For education and training provided over several semesters, vendors must provide the price for each semester.
4. Facility and Equipment Details: Vendors must have ADA-compliant facilities including equipment, textbooks, and software that provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. Vendors must own or lease the proposed training facility or have an agreement with the organization that does.
5. Financial Stability: Vendors, with the exception of public colleges and universities, must provide evidence of financial stability prepared by a Certified Public Accountant. Vendors cannot solely rely on funds from Workforce Solutions.
6. Record of Performance: Vendors must have been providing education and training services for at least one year, and we may ask for proof. We will not approve start-up organizations.
  
  We require vendors to submit a new application every year that includes performance information for their programs.
7. Instructor Credentials: We ask unregulated vendors to provide information about the credentials and experience of the instructors who will be providing service such as resumes and curriculum vitae.
How to Become an Approved Outplacement Service Vendor
- We provide an application for vendors to complete and submit with the required attachments.
  1. Download, fill out, print, and sign the outplacement service vendor application form
  2. Mail the application form with the required attachments to:
    Workforce Solutions Financial Aid Office
    ATTN: Karen Bailey
    PO Box 741361
    Houston, TX 77274-1361
  3. As a part of the application process, new applicants that provide services in their facilities can expect to receive a visit from Workforce Solutions staff. If applicable, you will be contacted to schedule a convenient time for the visit.
  4. Upon approval, a contract will be completed and sent for signature. Upon completion of the contract, you will be eligible to provide services to Workforce Solutions customers.
    
    Application Process may take up to 60 days to complete
- Annual application renewal process
  We approve programs and services for one year. Vendors must submit a new application every year in order to remain a vendor. Complete and submit the same application form to stay on the vendors' list.

Return To Top

Vendor Complaint Process

In order to provide high quality educational and training services to our customers, Workforce Solutions has in place a Vendor Complaint Process. Any customer, Workforce Solutions staff, or an interested or affected individual may file a complaint about services received from Workforce Solutions; you can download the Vendor Complaint Process.

Return To Top