The Texas Workforce Commission is awarding Texas Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship grants to help employers stand up short-term, paid training programs quickly, the agency announced Sept. 17.
The commission said the Legislature allocated the funding and Gov. Greg Abbott approved it to address immediate industrial workforce needs, offset labor shortages and support economic resilience after natural disasters. Unlike Registered Apprenticeship programs administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, the TIRA program draws on state money to back earn-while-you-learn models that run 26 weeks or less, according to the agency.
Grants will run up to $1 million each, with a cap of $10,000 per participant excluding wages and benefits, and may cover training, materials, tools and credentialing costs. The commission said eligible applicants include Texas employers, trade and industry groups, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and unions.
Programs must align with a TWC-recognized occupation and offer progressive wages and benefits at or above median wage levels, the agency said. Applicants are directed to prioritize unemployed Texans receiving unemployment insurance, veterans, formerly incarcerated individuals and underemployed workers who lack credentials. Each program must pair structured instruction with full-time employment, lead to a portable industry-recognized credential and require 12 months of sustained private sector employment after completion.
Application packages must include a project summary, training plan, partnership documentation, implementation timeline and budget detail form, and are submitted to the agency’s apprenticeship initiatives inbox. The commission said full program parameters and application materials are posted on its website, and that applicants may also contact its ApprenticeshipTexas team.
The agency framed the grants as part of a broader push to grow the state’s skilled workforce. The commission said it will host the 10th Annual ApprenticeshipTexas Conference on Sept. 24 and 25 at the Hyatt Regency Houston West Hotel, an event it said is meant to help attendees start or expand apprenticeship programs.
The Texas Workforce Commission is the state agency responsible for workforce development and unemployment services, working in coordination with a network of local workforce development boards.