Governor Greg Abbott has announced that four schools in West Texas will receive Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants totaling over $1.2 million. The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) awarded the grants to support career and technical education training programs, enabling the purchase and installation of equipment to train more than 330 students for high-demand jobs such as nursing, welding, and industrial engineering technology.
“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.”
TWC Chairman Joe Esparza emphasized the importance of collaboration between different sectors: “Texas’ resilient economy hinges on strong, communitywide partnerships between our employers, schools, and workforce. 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.”
The awards were presented earlier today by Chairman Esparza at a ceremony attended by state and local officials along with school staff at Odessa College.
The breakdown of the four 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 received $277,101 to train 40 students as welders in partnership with Odessa College.
– Seagraves ISD was granted $340,145 to train 100 students as industrial engineering technicians alongside South Plains College.
The JET grant program is funded by the Texas Legislature every two years. The TWC uses these funds to help cover start-up costs for developing or expanding career and technical education programs at public community colleges, state colleges, technical colleges, school districts, and open-enrollment charter schools. Equipment purchased through JET grants must be used specifically for training students in occupations that are currently in high demand.
More information about TWC’s JET grant program can be found on their official website.
