Governor Greg Abbott today announced 10 career training grants totaling over $2.4 million have been awarded to 10 schools in the Gulf Coast area to train students for high-demand, good-paying jobs after graduation. These Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants, awarded through Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), will support career and technical education (CTE) training programs by helping the schools purchase and install equipment to initially train over 800 students for high-demand occupations as registered nurses, health technologists, civil engineers, welders, and more.
 
“Texas continues to invest in our workforce to ensure students are prepared for the good-paying jobs of tomorrow,” said Governor Abbott. “Through these job training grants of over $2.4 million, hundreds of students in the Gulf Coast region will be equipped with the tools and training they need to pursue careers in the better job and bigger paycheck opportunities that we provide in Texas. Through the ongoing partnership between the Texas Workforce Commission and local schools across our state, we will continue to build a brighter future for all Texans.”
 
“TWC is proud to support career and technical education programs that help the future workers of Texas gain knowledge and skills to succeed in the workforce,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “These grants will allow hundreds of students to train for high-paying careers in healthcare, civil engineering, production, and other in-demand fields.”
 
Earlier today, TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III presented the awards at a ceremony attended by state and local officials and school staff at Lone Star College’s North Harris campus.
 
The 10 JET grants include:

• Alvin Community College received a $349,980 grant to train 165 students as refinery operators.
• College of the Mainland received a $324,916 grant to train 85 students as registered nurses.
• Harmony Public Schools-Houston North received a $233,225 grant to train 125 students as civil engineers in partnership with Houston Community College.
• Lee College received a $94,227 grant to train 60 students as HVAC mechanics.
• Lone Star College received a $245,317 grant to train 90 students as automotive service technicians.
• Palacios Independent School District (ISD) received a $105,970 grant to train 21 students as health technologists in partnership with Wharton County Junior College.
• San Jacinto Community College received a $109,020 grant to train 20 students as radiologic technologists.
• Shepherd ISD received a $350,000 grant to train 130 students as licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in partnership with Lone Star College.
• Wharton County Junior College received a $316,189 grant to train 35 students as automotive service technicians.
• Windham School District received a $295,742 grant to train 77 students as welders.

Through funding provided by the Texas Legislature each biennium, TWC uses JET grants to defray start-up costs to develop or expand career and technical education programs for public community, state and technical colleges, school districts, and open-enrollment charter schools. Equipment funded through JET grants must be used to train students for jobs in high-demand occupations. JET grant awards for the current fiscal year have yet to be announced and will be published in the coming months.   
 
Learn more about TWC’s JET grant program.