Governor Greg Abbott has announced that seven schools in Northeast Texas will receive more than $1.9 million in Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants. The funds, awarded by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), are aimed at supporting career and technical education programs to help over 520 students prepare for jobs in high-demand fields 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 also commented on the initiative: “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 announcement was made during a ceremony at North Central Texas College’s Gainesville Campus, attended by state officials, local leaders, and school staff.
The seven JET grant recipients are:
– Cumby Independent School District: $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 to train 24 students as semiconductor processing technicians.
– North Central Texas College: $331,656 to train 130 students as registered nurses.
– Paris ISD: $328,894 to train 175 students as licensed practical and vocational nurses with Paris Junior College.
– Paris Junior College: $332,450 to train 60 students as industrial machinery mechanics.
– Queen City ISD: $277,590 to train 70 students as welders with Texarkana College.
Last month, Governor Abbott signed House Bill 20 and House Bill 120 into law. These measures aim to expand career and technical education options for students throughout Texas. In his most recent State of the State Address, he identified expanding career training as an emergency priority for the current legislative session.
JET grants are funded by allocations from the Texas Legislature every two years. The program helps cover start-up costs for new or expanded career education programs at public community colleges, technical colleges, school districts, and charter schools across the state. All equipment purchased through these grants must be used specifically for training in occupations where there is strong job demand.
