Governor Greg Abbott today announced four Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants totaling over $1.2 million have been awarded to four schools in West Texas by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). The JET grants will support career and technical education training programs by helping the schools purchase and install equipment to initially train over 330 students for high-demand occupations as nurses, welders, and industrial engineering technicians.
“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.”
“Texas’ resilient economy hinges on strong, communitywide partnerships between our employers, schools, and workforce,” said TWC Chairman Joe Esparza. “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.”
Earlier today, Chairman Esparza presented the awards at a ceremony attended by state and local officials, and school staff at Odessa College.
The four JET grants include:
- Culberson County-Allamoore Independent School District (ISD): a $265,620 grant to train 50 students as registered nurses in partnership with Odessa College.
- Denver City ISD: a $319,520 grant to train 141 students as registered nurses in partnership with South Plains College.
- Iraan-Sheffield Collegiate ISD: a $277,101 grant to train 40 students as welders in partnership with Odessa College.
- Seagraves ISD: a $340,145 grant to train 100 students as industrial engineering technicians in partnership with South Plains College.
Through funding provided by the Texas Legislature each biennium, TWC uses JET grants to defray start-up costs to develop or expand career and technical education programs for public community, state and technical colleges, school districts, and open-enrollment charter schools. Equipment funded through JET grants must be used to train students for jobs in high-demand occupations.
Source: Office of the Texas Governor
