Governor Greg Abbott announced a Skills Development Fund grant totaling $2,416,902 to Workforce Solutions Permian Basin to train workers for high-demand rural healthcare careers, according to an Aug. 4 news release from the governor’s office and the Texas Workforce Commission.
Through the grant, Workforce Solutions Permian Basin will provide customized training for 1,486 new and current workers at 18 rural hospitals and one urgent care center, the release said. Workers will train for careers such as registered nurses, physical therapists, and radiology technicians through partnerships with seven colleges.
“Our state is proud to partner with healthcare providers and colleges across Texas to strengthen our rural healthcare workforce and meet the needs of our growing state,” Abbott said in the release. “These critical grants will allow workers to receive training for high-demand healthcare careers to ensure Texans have access to lifesaving care when it matters most.”
TWC Chairman Joe Esparza said the grant is “elevating the quality of healthcare for many communities as they grow and their needs evolve,” calling the partnership among Workforce Solutions Permian Basin, 19 healthcare facilities, and seven educational institutions “a prime example of how working in sync can improve the lives of Texans for generations to come.”
TWC Commissioner Representing the Public Brent Connett presented the award to representatives from Workforce Solutions Permian Basin, partner colleges, and other local partners during a ceremony at Odessa College, according to the release.
The Skills Development Fund is the state’s workforce training grant program, run in partnership with public community and technical colleges, workforce development boards, and the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service. Since its inception in 1996, the program has worked with more than 5,000 employers to upgrade or support the creation of over 446,000 jobs across Texas, the agencies said.