"The Courteous Commissioner”: Alberto Treviño on Building a Better Texas Workforce

Why is the Texas Workforce Commission and workforce boards often referred to as one of the state's "best-kept secrets"—a label that suggests they may not be receiving the attention they deserve—and how are they impacting the lives of workers and their families? 
 
Today on Austin Hires Local, Tamara Atkinson welcomes Texas Workforce Commissioner Alberto Treviño, a seasoned law enforcement veteran turned labor advocate. Commissioner Treviño speaks about the challenges and opportunities within workforce development, drawing from his many years of experience in law enforcement and border patrol. We examine how rapid growth within organizations can test the mettle of leadership, as well as the importance of unions in addressing issues such as scheduling and resources. Treviño highlights the crucial work of the Texas Workforce Commission in aligning skills with market demands, including programs such as registered apprenticeship that provide valuable training opportunities. The dedication of the Texas Workforce Commission and workforce boards has had a profound impact on workers and families, and you’ll soon discover why they’re one of the state's "best-kept secrets”. 
 

Alberto Treviño III serves as the Commissioner Representing Labor for the Texas Workforce Commission. He was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to the three-member Commission and confirmed by the Texas Senate in 2023. Commissioner Treviño is retired from the U.S. Border Patrol, and has served over 30 years in law enforcement as an agent, police instructor, background investigator and patrol officer. He also served as treasurer and executive vice president for the Local 3307 of the National Border Patrol. 

In This Episode:  

• (00:00) Red Solo Cup mixups, school nicknames, first job repairing sewing machines 
• (05:21) "Flat CAT" (a nod to Flat Stanley) to help the CAT (“Commissioner Alberto Treviño”) travel across Texas so he could "be everywhere at once", interesting places CAT went 
• (08:45) What inspired the Commissioner to get interested in law enforcement? His extensive 33-year career, leadership style, and what factors influence his approach  
• (12:50) Union experience and lessons learned on the Border Patrol, continuing services as an intermediary between workers and employers, a humorous anecdote 
• (17:25) Giving back to the community, Knights of Columbus, little league, and tennis roles 
• (21:30) An interesting pre-TSA airport story, learning critical phrases in seven languages 
• (23:40) Challenging and pressing issues in the state of Texas, solutions and approaches, apprenticeships, National Apprenticeship Week 
• (27:00) Closing thoughts 
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About the show:  
Austin Hires Local, powered by Workforce Solutions Capital Area and hosted by WFS CEO Tamara Atkinson, dives deep with the trailblazers who are shaping the future of jobs in our city, our state, and even nationally. We pull back the curtain on the challenges we all face – the anxieties, the roadblocks, and what's holding us back from filling those critical open positions. But hey, it's not all doom and gloom. We also celebrate the victories: the ingenious solutions, the unexpected collaborations, and the best practices that are making us all sharper. You’ll hear guests from all sides of the table – elected officials with a finger