Governor Greg Abbott has announced that the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is awarding over $1.2 million in Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants to four schools in West Texas. The grants aim to enhance career and technical education training programs by providing funds for equipment purchases, which will help initially train more than 330 students for jobs in fields such as nursing, welding, and industrial engineering technology.
“Our workforce’s greatest resource are young Texans,” said Governor Abbott. “These career training grants of over $1.2 million for schools in West Texas will help students discover new career passions, gain the skills they need to enter competitive industries, and further our state’s continued economic growth. I thank the Texas Workforce Commission and our education partners for their ongoing efforts to train the next generation of working Texans as we build a better future for our great state.”
TWC Chairman Joe Esparza emphasized the importance of collaboration between employers, schools, and the workforce: “Texas’ resilient economy hinges on strong, communitywide partnerships between our employers, schools, and workforce. As these JET grants prepare more than 330 students for high-demand jobs in their communities, they will also foster a more prosperous future for Texas.” Earlier today, Esparza presented the awards at Odessa College during a ceremony attended by state and local officials along with school staff.
The recipients of the four JET grants are:
– Culberson County-Allamoore Independent School District (ISD), which received $265,620 to train 50 students as registered nurses in partnership with Odessa College.
– Denver City ISD was awarded $319,520 to train 141 students as registered nurses through South Plains College.
– Iraan-Sheffield Collegiate ISD obtained $277,101 to train 40 students as welders alongside Odessa College.
– Seagraves ISD secured $340,145 to train 100 students as industrial engineering technicians with South Plains College.
The JET grant program is funded by allocations from the Texas Legislature every two years. TWC uses these funds to offset start-up expenses needed to create or expand career and technical education programs across public community colleges, state colleges, technical colleges, school districts, and open-enrollment charter schools throughout Texas. Equipment acquired through JET funding must be used specifically for student training in high-demand occupations.
More information about TWC’s JET grant program can be found on their official website.
