Five Texas community colleges have earned U.S. Department of Education approval to offer Workforce Pell student aid for short-term programs, and a consortium led by the Alamo Colleges District has received a $10.4 million U.S. Department of Labor grant, Governor Greg Abbott announced Oct. 2 in a news release posted by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Workforce Pell provides federal aid for short-term programs that lead to high-skill, high-wage, in-demand jobs, according to the release. The governor’s office said the two developments put Texas at the forefront of efforts to strengthen the workforce and move students into careers quickly and affordably.
The approved programs span nine offerings at five colleges. Central Texas College was approved for Pharmacy Technician. Kilgore College was approved for Electric Power Technology, Phlebotomy Technician and Pharmacy Technician. Weatherford College was approved for HVAC-Basic, Basic Machining and CNC Machining Advanced. Texas Southmost College was approved for Structural Welding-SMAW, and San Jacinto College was approved for Phlebotomy Technician, according to the release.
The Labor Department grant supports a four-year initiative expected to serve 22,000 students, the release said. The colleges will use the funds to strengthen industry-focused programs eligible for Workforce Pell, and the grant is intended to expand those programs at other colleges.
Abbott said in the release that Texas students now have federal aid for short-term job training at five community colleges, with approved programs leading to jobs in health care, energy, construction and the skilled trades. He thanked President Donald Trump and his administration for the investments.
Higher Education Commissioner Wynn Rosser congratulated the colleges that earned approval, saying students and Texas employers will benefit as the programs produce qualified employees in a short period for high-demand jobs.
Dr. Mike Flores, chancellor of the Alamo Colleges District, said in the release that the district’s goal is to end poverty through education and training. He said Northwest Vista College will lead the statewide effort to help community colleges offer short-term training that leads to meaningful careers, working with the Texas Association of Community Colleges, the Ray Marshall Center and partners across Texas.