Governor Greg Abbott today announced two Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants totaling more than $311,000 by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to Copperas Cove Independent School District (ISD) to support career training. The two grants will help the district purchase and install equipment to train students in the plant science program on greenhouse operations and students in the advanced manufacturing program learn robotic operations. The district will continue to use the new equipment to train more students in the future. 

"The State of Texas continues actively working to advance and support our exceptional workforce through comprehensive career and skills development programs," said Governor Abbott. "The Jobs and Education for Texans grant program is an effective tool in providing more opportunities for students who choose to pursue careers in good-paying, high-demand industries across our state. I thank the Texas Workforce Commission for working to boost our highly trained workforce to meet the needs of our growing economy."

“The greenhouse and robotics programs developed by Copperas Cove ISD will prepare students with high-demand skills for the future,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “Texas is investing in programs like these so high school students can gain high-value credentials and quickly become a part of the Texas workforce—the fastest growing workforce in the country.”

TWC Executive Director Ed Serna presented the grant awards to Copperas Cove ISD at a monthly school board meeting last night.

Through funding provided by the Legislature each biennium, TWC uses JET grants to defray start-up costs of developing 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.

Visit the JET webpage for more information on the program.