Governor Greg Abbott has announced the allocation of over $15 million in career training grants to educational institutions across Texas. A total of 60 grants will be distributed to higher education institutions and independent school districts, aiming to prepare students for high-demand occupations.
The Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants, administered by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), will enable public junior, state, and technical colleges; school districts; and open-enrollment charter schools to purchase equipment for career and technical education programs. These programs are designed to guide students toward industries with significant job opportunities.
Governor Abbott emphasized the importance of these investments in light of Texas' economic growth. "As Texas’ economy continues to grow, it is critical that we invest in our future workforce," he stated. "This $15 million in career training grants will support career and technical training programs for thousands of Texas students across our great state."
The new equipment funded by these grants is expected to benefit more than 6,900 students in its first year alone. The focus is on providing them with licenses, certificates, or degrees that lead to lucrative positions within their chosen fields.
Bryan Daniel, TWC Chairman, underscored the significance of skilled labor in meeting economic demands: "As the Texas economy grows, so does the demand for a skilled workforce," he said. "The JET grant program helps meet that demand by providing opportunities for Texans to gain valuable, hands-on experience."
Applications are currently being accepted for the 2025 JET grant program. Eligible institutions can download the application packet from the TWC Procurement Portal website or contact RFAGrants@twc.texas.gov for more information.
In detail, specific allocations have been made to various colleges such as Alamo Colleges District-San Antonio College with a $332,507 grant for software development training and Alvin Community College receiving $349,980 for petroleum system operator training among others. Independent school districts like Academy ISD received a $330,535 grant while Banquete ISD was awarded $350,000.
These funds aim at equipping educational facilities with resources necessary to train students effectively for jobs categorized as high-demand occupations.
