Governor Greg Abbott has announced that seven schools in Northeast Texas will receive more than $1.9 million in career training grants. The Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants, distributed by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), aim to help these schools purchase and install equipment needed to train over 520 students for high-demand jobs such as nursing, mechanics, and truck driving.
“Our greatest resource is our children,” Governor Abbott said. “These grants ensure students will gain the tools and training they need to secure good-paying jobs and promising career opportunities. I thank the Texas Workforce Commission for their continued efforts to support and train our future workforce so the Texas economy—and Texas students—can reach even greater heights.”
TWC Chairman Joe Esparza added, “By providing JET grants to Texas schools, we are able to train our future workforce with the latest technology and give them the best education possible to succeed in their careers. These grants keep our Texas businesses competitive and our economy growing.”
The awards were presented earlier today at a ceremony at North Central Texas College’s Gainesville Campus.
The seven JET grant recipients are:
– Cumby Independent School District (ISD): $181,574 to train 31 students as licensed practical and vocational nurses in partnership with Paris Junior College.
– Forestburg ISD: $131,838 to train 33 students as welders with North Central Texas College – Gainesville.
– Grayson College: $350,000 for training 24 students as semiconductor processing technicians.
– North Central Texas College: $331,656 for training 130 students as registered nurses.
– Paris ISD: $328,894 for training 175 students as licensed practical and vocational nurses with Paris Junior College.
– Paris Junior College: $332,450 for training 60 students as industrial machinery mechanics.
– Queen City ISD: $277,590 for training 70 welding students in partnership with Texarkana College.
Last month, Governor Abbott signed House Bill 20 and House Bill 120 into law. These measures expand career and technical education opportunities across the state. In his most recent State of the State Address, he also identified expanding career training as an emergency priority during the current legislative session.
JET grant funding is provided by the Texas Legislature every two years. The program helps cover start-up costs for developing or expanding career and technical education programs at public colleges, school districts, and charter schools throughout Texas. Equipment purchased through these grants must be used specifically for student job training in fields where demand is high.
More information about TWC’s JET grant program can be found on their website.
