Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) announced on April 30, 2026, the opening of applications for nearly $17 million in state grants designed to support short-term workforce education and training programs.
The funding is targeted at public lower-division colleges and technical schools that offer credentials for high-demand occupations across the state, such as plumbers, electricians, and medical assistants.
This funding initiative aims to accelerate the transition of Texans into financially rewarding careers by expanding the availability of “high-value” credentials. The grant program intends to focus on the immediate labor market needs, specifically in technical and medical fields. According to the release, by strengthening the collaboration between educational institutions and employers, the state seeks to fulfill the objectives of the “Building a Talent Strong Texas” strategic plan, which prioritizes the attainment of credentials that offer direct value in the workforce.
The $17 million in available funding is divided among three distinct grant programs: the Texas Reskilling and Upskilling through Education (TRUE) Grant Program, TRUE Pathways Design & Planning Grants, and the Texas Invests in Meaningful Employment (TIME) Grants. The largest portion of the funding, $12.5 million, is allocated to the TRUE Grant program for the 2026-2028 cycle, with applications scheduled to open in July. These grants have historically supported training for essential roles such as plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians, medical assistants, and emergency medical technicians.
The application deadlines for the other two programs are approaching in May. The TIME program, which provides $3.3 million for 2026-2028, has a deadline of May 15, while the $1 million TRUE Pathways Design and Planning grant for the 2026-2027 cycle requires submissions by May 29. The THECB, which administers these grants, evaluates applications based on several factors, including the program’s significance to the local workforce and whether it was developed in consultation with industry stakeholders.
This investment comes as Texas continues to see steady growth in key technical sectors. According to recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the Texas construction sector grew by 2.7% as of February 2026, significantly outperforming the state’s total nonfarm employment growth of 0.5% during the same period.
“By expanding educational opportunity, strengthening collaboration with employers, and ensuring credentials are affordable and attainable, we are fulfilling our state’s strategic plan of Building a Talent Strong Texas,” said Higher Education Commissioner Wynn Rosser.