Houston Daily

Four schools in West Texas have been awarded over $1.2 million in Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants, Governor Greg Abbott announced. The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is providing these grants to support career and technical education training programs. The funds will help the schools purchase and install equipment that will initially train more than 330 students for high-demand jobs such as nursing, welding, and industrial engineering technology.

Governor Abbott stated, "Our workforce’s greatest resource are young Texans. 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 added, "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 grant awards were presented earlier today by Chairman Esparza at Odessa College during a ceremony attended by state and local officials as well as school staff.

The recipients of the four JET grants are:

- Culberson County-Allamoore Independent School District (ISD), receiving $265,620 to train 50 students as registered nurses with Odessa College.

- Denver City ISD, receiving $319,520 to train 141 students as registered nurses with South Plains College.

- Iraan-Sheffield Collegiate ISD, receiving $277,101 to train 40 students as welders with Odessa College.

- Seagraves ISD, receiving $340,145 to train 100 students as industrial engineering technicians with South Plains College.

JET grants are funded through allocations made by the Texas Legislature every two years. TWC uses this funding to offset start-up costs involved in developing or expanding career and technical education programs at public community colleges, state and technical colleges, school districts, and open-enrollment charter schools across Texas. The equipment purchased must be used specifically to prepare students for employment in fields where demand is high.