Texas Veterans Commission Offers Free Hiring Pipeline for Central Texas Employers

In Episode 75 of the Rock Solid: Round Rock Business Leaders Podcast, host Bryan Eisenberg sits down with Isaac Marquez-Diaz, Veteran Employer Liaison for the Texas Veterans Commission, to discuss a free, state-funded hiring pipeline that many Central Texas business owners don't know about. Marquez-Diaz, a military veteran and former police officer based at the Round Rock Workforce Solutions office, explains why transitioning service members are one of the strongest and most overlooked talent pools available. Marquez-Diaz outlines several practical tools for employers. WorkInTexas.com automatically matches job postings to qualified candidates, including unemployment recipients required to maintain accounts. The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) internship pipeline allows employers to host transitioning soldiers for up to 90 days while the military continues paying their salary, effectively offering a no-risk trial period. He also advises translating military titles like sergeant into civilian equivalents such as supervisor or manager to make job descriptions more accessible. 'When you go to basic training, they kind of delete who you were and they transform you into a soldier. If you give them a mission, they're going to accomplish it,' Marquez-Diaz says, pushing back on the assumption that veteran hiring requires special handling. Eisenberg, who operates the A Place at Home franchise providing care for seniors and veterans, presses Marquez-Diaz on how small businesses can connect with this talent pool. Marquez-Diaz shares success stories, including a Marine veteran relocating from San Diego whose state application was nearly rejected over a technical error. After Marquez-Diaz advocated on his behalf, the candidate was hired and now serves as HR Director for the Texas General Land Office, where he is building new veteran-focused programs. The Texas Veterans Commission Job Fair Con at Kalahari is scheduled for July 22, with over 200 employers expected. Last year's event drew more than 1,200 attendees, including candidates who flew in from New York. Employers can contact Marquez-Diaz via email or LinkedIn for more information. Listen to this Episode