Houston Daily

Governor Greg Abbott has announced the allocation of over $1.5 million in career training grants to five schools in the San Antonio area. The grants, awarded through the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), aim to support career and technical education programs by funding equipment purchases for training students in high-demand fields such as software development, nursing, and welding.

Governor Abbott emphasized the importance of investing in the future workforce, stating, "The more than $1.5 million in career training grants will support career and technical training programs for Texas students in the San Antonio area—helping them forge their own path to a better job and bigger paycheck opportunity after graduation." He also expressed gratitude towards TWC for their efforts in enhancing the skilled workforce.

TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel highlighted the role of the JET program, saying it provides "cutting-edge technology for students to train for high-demand occupations like software developers, nurses, and welders." He reiterated TWC's commitment to supporting valuable CTE training across Texas.

The announcement was made at a ceremony held at San Antonio College’s Nursing & Allied Health Complex, where TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III presented the awards. State and local officials, along with school staff, attended the event.

The five JET grants are distributed as follows:

- Alamo Colleges District-San Antonio College received $332,507 to train 250 students as software developers.

- Boerne Independent School District was awarded $319,709 to train 200 students as registered nurses in partnership with Alamo Colleges District-San Antonio College.

- Cotulla ISD received $350,000 to train 25 students as licensed practical and vocational nurses with Southwest Texas Junior College.

- Dilley ISD obtained $179,403 to train 76 students as welders alongside Southwest Texas Junior College.

- Harmony Schools South Texas was granted $350,000 to train 100 students as licensed practical and vocational nurses with Texas Southmost College.

These funds are part of a biennial provision by the Texas Legislature aimed at developing or expanding CTE programs across public community colleges, state and technical colleges, school districts, and open-enrollment charter schools. Equipment funded through these grants must be used specifically for training students in jobs that are currently in high demand. Future JET grant awards for this fiscal year are expected to be announced soon.