Governor Greg Abbott has announced that 52 Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) training grants, totaling over $14 million, have been awarded to higher education institutions and independent school districts across Texas. The grants, distributed through the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), aim to support career and technical education programs by providing funds for equipment purchases. These initiatives are designed to prepare students for employment in high-demand industries after graduation.
“As our economy grows, Texas will continue to invest in the future of our workforce,” said Governor Abbott. “This over $14 million in career training grants will help more than 6,500 Texas students gain the tools and skills they need to go from graduation directly into good-paying jobs. I thank the Texas Workforce Commission and our education partners for training the next generation of hardworking Texans to be part of the better job and bigger paycheck opportunities that we provide in our great state.”
The grants are expected to help more than 6,500 students obtain licenses, certificates, or college degrees that can lead to jobs in fields with strong demand for workers. The new equipment funded by these grants will initially be used by these students as they train for careers such as nursing, automotive service technology, welding, information security analysis, dental hygiene, veterinary technology, construction management, and more.
“Through initiatives like the JET grant program, we are preparing our workforce to pioneer innovations and thrive on the cutting edge of industry,” said TWC Chairman Joe Esparza. “These grants strategically target high-growth industries, ensuring workers can find meaningful career opportunities while strengthening Texas’ reputation as the best state for doing business.”
The TWC is currently accepting applications for its 2026 JET grant program from public junior colleges, state and technical colleges, school districts, and open-enrollment charter schools. Application materials can be downloaded from the TWC Procurement Portal website or requested via email at RFAGrants@twc.texas.gov.
Among recipients this year are Austin Community College ($331,387 for automotive service technician training), Brazosport College ($356,250 for information security analyst training), Grayson College ($362,896 for registered nurse training), Paris Junior College ($366,917 for aircraft mechanic training), Victoria College ($280,345 for registered nurse training), Duncanville ISD ($354,915 for nursing assistant training), Donna ISD ($337,820 for medical assistant training), Prosper ISD ($256,500 for nursing assistant training), among others.
Funding provided by the Texas Legislature enables TWC to use JET grants each biennium to help cover start-up costs associated with developing new career and technical education programs at public community colleges as well as K-12 institutions throughout Texas. Equipment purchased through these grants must be used specifically to train students in occupations where there is significant demand within the state’s labor market.
For further details about TWC’s JET grant program visit their website.
