Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Workforce Commission announced on Sept. 14 that four Jobs and Education for Texans grants totaling $1,327,075 have been awarded to four West Central Texas schools to expand career and technical education programs.
The grants, administered by TWC, will help the schools purchase and install equipment to initially train 356 students for high-demand occupations such as welders and nurses, according to Sept. 14 news releases from the governor’s office and the commission.
“Our students are the future of our state, and it is critical that they have the resources they need to succeed,” said Abbott. “These grants will provide a pathway to well-paying jobs in Texas’ most high-demand fields.”
TWC Chairman Joe Esparza presented the awards at a ceremony attended by state and local officials and school staff at Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas in Abilene, the releases said.
“Training on industry-standard equipment immediately gives students a competitive edge in the job market and signals to local employers they are ready for hire,” said Esparza. “These JET grants will give our healthcare providers and industrial businesses access to over 350 career-ready nurses and welders who are prepared to make a difference on day one.”
Cisco College received $305,614 to train 76 students as licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, and Ranger College received $355,063 to train 200 students in the same field, according to the governor’s office. Graford Independent School District received $312,299 to train 50 students as welders in partnership with Texas State Technical College – Breckenridge, while Texas State Technical College received $354,099 to train 30 welders.
The JET program is funded by the Texas Legislature each biennium and is used to defray start-up costs to develop or expand career and technical education programs at public community, state and technical colleges, school districts and open-enrollment charter schools, the commission said. Equipment funded through the grants must be used to train students for jobs in high-demand occupations.
TWC said JET grant awards for the current fiscal year have yet to be announced and will be published in the coming months.