Four schools in West Texas have received more than $1.2 million in Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants from the Texas Workforce Commission, according to an announcement by Governor Greg Abbott. The grants are intended to help schools purchase and install equipment for career and technical education programs, initially supporting the training of over 330 students for jobs such as nurses, welders, and industrial engineering technicians.
“Our workforce’s greatest resource are young Texans,” said Governor Abbott. “These career training grants of over $1.2 million for schools in West Texas will help students discover new career passions, gain the skills they need to enter competitive industries, and further our state’s continued economic growth. I thank the Texas Workforce Commission and our education partners for their ongoing efforts to train the next generation of working Texans as we build a better future for our great state.”
Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Joe Esparza also commented on the importance of collaboration between employers, schools, and workforce initiatives: “Texas’ resilient economy hinges on strong, communitywide partnerships between our employers, schools, and workforce,” said TWC Chairman Joe Esparza. “As these JET grants prepare more than 330 students for high-demand jobs in their communities, they will also foster a more prosperous future for Texas.”
Chairman Esparza presented the awards at Odessa College during a ceremony attended by officials from both state and local governments as well as school staff.
The breakdown of the four awarded JET grants is as follows:
– Culberson County-Allamoore Independent School District (ISD) received $265,620 to train 50 students as registered nurses in partnership with Odessa College.
– Denver City ISD was awarded $319,520 to train 141 students as registered nurses with South Plains College.
– Iraan-Sheffield Collegiate ISD obtained $277,101 to support training for 40 welding students in partnership with Odessa College.
– Seagraves ISD was granted $340,145 to enable 100 students to train as industrial engineering technicians alongside South Plains College.
The JET grant program receives funding from the Texas Legislature every two years. These funds help cover start-up costs associated with developing or expanding career-focused educational programs at public colleges and school districts across Texas. All equipment funded through this initiative must be used specifically for training students in high-demand fields.
For more information about TWC’s JET grant program visit https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/jobs-education-texans-jet-grant-program-overview.
