TWC Awards $10.3 Million in Jobs and Education for Texans Grants to Support Career Training
Texas Workforce Commission • December 21, 2021
Kilgore College awarded $280K. Elkhart ISD awarded $325K.
AUSTIN ⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has awarded 41 grants totaling $10,379,293 to multiple public community colleges, public technical institutes, public state colleges and independent school districts for programs that focus on supporting high-demand occupations through the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant program.
“JET grants represent an important investment toward closing the middle skills gap in our state by creating opportunities for young Texans to pursue high-demand, well-paying jobs requiring only a short training period,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “As students make the transition into the workforce, it is essential for our economy they have the education and skills needed to succeed in the workplace.”
Qualifying educational institutions were each awarded a grant for the development of programs or courses leading to a license, certificate or post-secondary degree. The JET grant program focuses on projects that develop training programs to prepare Texans for jobs in new, emerging industries and high-demand occupations.
“There is no substitute for hands-on training that mimics real-world scenarios to set students up for success in highly skilled, high-demand careers,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. “JET grants provide eager learners with access to new, cutting-edge equipment that prepares them for careers in some of the fastest growing industries in the state.”
The JET program provides funding for equipment to eligible educational institutions for the purpose of developing career and technical education courses and may include courses offering dual-credit and technical education programs. The equipment must be used to train students for jobs in high-demand occupations. The JET program also supports employers by preparing students for careers in occupations that are identified by local businesses as being in high-demand.
“Congratulations to all of the JET grant recipients for their commitment to providing targeted training for their respective communities that will lead to employment opportunities in high-demand industries,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Aaron Demerson. “These grants are a key tool in meeting the immediate and long-term needs of our Texas employers, while also providing pathways to success for hardworking Texans.”
The JET Advisory Board was established to assist TWC in administering these grants. The six-member board meets to review applications and make recommendations on grant awards.
Eligible educational institutions can apply for the next phase of JET funding through a competitive grant process. TWC will issue a Request for Applications (RFA) solicitation to provide information and instruction on how to submit a proposal packet. A link will be provided on the JET Grant Program webpage, which can be used to access the RFA once it becomes available.
For more information on the JET Program, visit the JET homepage or email jetgrants@twc.texas.gov.
The 2021 Jobs and Education for Texans grant recipients are:
Community, Technical and State Colleges
- Alvin Community College - $324,139 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 225 students, providing training in the occupation of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers.
- Brazosport College - $220,985 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 130 students, providing training in the occupation of welder, cutter, solderer, and brazer.
- College of the Mainland - $350,000 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 325 students, providing training in the occupation of petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers.
- Frank Phillips College - $330,125 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 126 students, providing training in the occupation of industrial machinery mechanics.
- Grayson College - $197,034 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 232 students, providing training in the occupation of registered nurses.
- Kilgore College - $279,296 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 130 students, providing training in the occupation of firefighters.
- Lamar State College Orange - $208,741 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 250 students, providing training in the occupation of healthcare practitioners and technical occupations.
- Laredo College - $304,836 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 140 students, providing training in the occupation of industrial machinery mechanics.
- Ranger College - $324,658 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 126 students, providing training in the occupation of automotive service technicians and mechanics.
- South Plains College - $247,549 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 70 students, providing training in the occupation of automotive service technicians and mechanics.
- South Texas College - $204,058 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 130 students, providing training in the occupation of architectural and civil drafters.
- Southwest Texas Junior College - $296,553 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 40 students, providing training in the occupation of bus & truck mechanics & diesel engine specialists.
- Victoria College - $331,645 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 250 students, providing training in the occupation of registered nurses.
- Vernon College - $178,966 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 210 students, providing training in the occupation of registered nurses.
- Weatherford College - $296,263 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 144 students, providing training in the occupation of first-line supervisors of construction trades/extraction workers.
Independent School Districts
- Baird ISD - $221,226 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 100 students, providing training in the occupation of welder, cutter, solder and brazer.
- Bangs ISD - $43,605 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 50 students, providing training in the occupation of electro-mechanical technicians.
- Bells ISD - $64,291 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 61 students, providing training in the occupation of welder, cutter, solder and brazer.
- Brownsville ISD - $329,060 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 165 students, providing training in the occupation of welder, cutter, solder and brazer.
- Burkeville ISD - $262,182 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 30 students, providing training in the occupation of welder, cutter, solder and brazer.
- Center ISD - $328,571 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 130 students, providing training in the occupation of welder, cutter, solder and brazer.
- Coldspring-Oakhurst ISD - $189,316 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 79 students, providing training in the occupation of welder, cutter, solder and brazer.
- Connally ISD - $275,035 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 63 students, providing training in the occupation of bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists.
- Elkhart ISD - $325,850 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 168 students, providing training in the occupation of welder, cutter, solder and brazer.
- Farmersville ISD - $332,236 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 150 students, providing training in the occupation of electronics engineers (except computer).
- Harlingen ISD - $332,500 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 130 students, providing training in the occupation of police and sheriff’s patrol officers.
- Hillsboro ISD - $89,703 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 75 students, providing training in the occupation of welder, cutter, solder and brazer.
- Hudson ISD - $102,361- The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 78 students, providing training in the occupation of welder, cutter, solder and brazer.
- Ingleside ISD - $225,531 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 103 students, providing training in the occupation of welder, cutter, solder and brazer.
- Ingram ISD - $188,147 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 80 students, providing training in the occupation of welder, cutter, solder and brazer.
- La Joya ISD - $316,407 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 130 students, providing training in the occupation of welder, cutter, solder and brazer.
- Laredo ISD - $332,500 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 125 students, providing training in the occupation of nursing assistants.
- Point Isabel ISD - $278,287 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 126 students, providing training in the occupation of welder, cutter, solder and brazer.
- Rio Hondo ISD - $331,056 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 140 students, providing training in the occupation of police and sheriff’s patrol officers.
- Robstown ISD - $322,680 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 60 students, providing training in the occupation of welder, cutter, solder and brazer.
- Rosebud-Lott ISD - $114,513 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 126 students, providing training in the occupation of computer numerically controlled tool operator.
- Santa Maria ISD - $291,915 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 126 students, providing training in the occupation of welder, cutter, solder and brazer.
- Santa Rosa ISD - $281,390 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 126 students, providing training in the occupation of welder, cutter, solder and brazer.
- South Texas ISD - $332,500 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 24 students, providing training in the occupation of welder, cutter, solder and brazer.
- West Sabine ISD - $140,429 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 150 students, providing training in the occupation of welder, cutter, solder and brazer.
- Ysleta ISD - $233,154 - The grant will help purchase and install equipment to initially serve 101 students, providing training in the occupation of registered nurses.
Texas added 19,700 nonfarm jobs in December to reach a total of 14,341,000 positions. Over the year, the state added 132,500 jobs for an annual nonfarm growth rate of 0.9 percent, outpacing the national growth rate by half a percentage point. Texas’ civilian labor force registered at 15,964,000 after adding 25,000 people over the month. This marks a new record-high level for the series. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 236,300 people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Texas registered at 4.3 percent. “Texas added more than 19,000 jobs in December, with growth spread across a majority of major industries,” said TWC Chairman Joe Esparza. “We are focused on ensuring Texas remains a national leader in economic opportunity through innovative, forward-looking initiatives like Skills for Small Business, the Texas Internship Network, and Texas Industry-Recognized Apprenticeships.” The Trade, Transportation, and Utilities industry had the largest private sector over-the-month increase in December after adding 9,500 jobs. Leisure and Hospitality added 3,700 jobs over the month while Professional and Business Services added 3,000. In addition, Private Education and Health Services posted an annual growth rate of 2.3 percent in December, which was the highest of any major industry. “Tens of thousands of people joined the Texas labor force last month,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. “To connect all segments of our growing labor force with employment opportunities, TWC offers a wide array of resources such as job fairs, labor market information, and vocational rehabilitation services to link Texans with meaningful careers.” The Amarillo metropolitan statistical area (MSA) had the lowest unemployment rate with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 2.8 percent in December. It was followed by the Midland and San Angelo MSAs, which both registered at 2.9 percent. “Every bit of great news and well-deserved accolades the Texas economy receives inspires our efforts,” said TWC Commissioner Representing the Public Brent Connett. “TWC will continue to help build a robust, well-trained workforce and a bigger, better, stronger economy for a more prosperous future for Texans.” Employment estimates released by TWC are produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. * All estimates are subject to revision. To access this and more employment data, visit TexasLMI.com .
When Latavia Harris unexpectedly lost her job, she found herself facing a moment of uncertainty. The disruption was more than financial—her plans for the future were suddenly placed on pause. Yet even in that difficult moment, Latavia chose resilience. She made the same decision thousands of East Texans make each year when navigating job loss: she applied for unemployment. That simple step became the bridge to something much bigger. Through the unemployment process, Latavia was connected to the RESEA (Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment) program at Workforce Solutions East Texas. RESEA provides structured guidance and support to job seekers receiving unemployment, equipping them with the tools to navigate the job search process and overcome barriers that may prevent them from returning to the workforce. In the program, staff helped Latavia refresh her resume, strengthen her interview skills, and explore new career pathways. As she gained encouragement and direction, she began to rebuild her job prospects. That journey led her somewhere she never expected—to a role within the very organization that had helped her rebuild. Today, Latavia serves as a Career Navigator for the WIOA Youth program at Workforce Solutions East Texas, joining the ranks of a team she once turned to for support. In her new role, Latavia feels a special connection with the young adults she serves. Having recently been in a similar position herself, she understands their fears, their doubts, and the courage it takes to begin again. This lived experience fuels her commitment to help them succeed, so they too can experience how Workforce programs can change a person’s future for the better. “All of the programs in Workforce do our community well,” Latavia shares. “It helps us be able to do the work and get back to work.” Latavia speaks openly about the difference her future coworkers made during her time as a participant. Their backing, encouragement, and support played a major role in helping her pursue a new and exciting career path—and find stability after a difficult season. Her transition into the workforce felt different this time, she explains: “One of the things I could tell was different in coming to Workforce from like ten years ago to when I had to come back this summer, was it was very open, very welcoming. You knew that they wanted to help you get back to work.” Being met with genuine care reshaped how she viewed workforce development—and her own goals. “It was like, wow— I want to be part of a team that is happy about what they are here doing, is happy to impact lives,” she reflects. “They wanted to genuinely help me and were happy to help me. So, I was like when I am back to work, this is the type of team I want to work with.” Latavia’s journey serves as a powerful reminder of the long-term impact of workforce development. Its value extends far beyond reemployment—it fosters confidence, builds futures, strengthens families, and contributes to the stability of communities across East Texas. What began as a setback became a calling. Latavia now helps others take their next steps forward, carrying with her a lived understanding that the right support at the right time can transform a moment of crisis into a story of resilience, renewal, and purpose.
Texas added 7,300 nonfarm jobs in November to reach a total of 14,321,000 positions. Over the year, the state added 146,300 jobs for an annual nonfarm growth rate of 1.0 percent, outpacing the national growth rate by 0.4 percentage points. Texas’ civilian labor force registered at 15,938,500 after adding 59,500 people since September 2025 and reaching a new record high level for the series. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 206,800 people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Texas registered at 4.2 percent. “As Texas employers add thousands of jobs, TWC programs can help them grow, develop, and retain a skilled workforce,” said TWC Chairman Joe Esparza. “Initiatives like Skills for Small Business and the Skills Development Fund are training Texans for in-demand jobs that will cement Texas’ reputation as the best state in the nation for doing business.” The Private Education and Health Services industry had the largest private sector over-the-month increase in November after adding 5,700 jobs. Professional and Business Services added 3,900 jobs over the month while Manufacturing added 2,300. In addition, the Construction industry posted an annual growth rate of 2.8 percent in November, which was the highest of any major industry. “Texas' increasing job numbers are encouraging, and it's vital that these are good jobs that provide family-sustaining wages and benefits for Texas workers. We must continue to prioritize investments in skills training and development to ensure that all Texans can access these opportunities and share in the state's prosperity,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. “As we celebrate this growth, let's also remain committed to fair labor practices and worker protections to ensure a thriving workforce for years to come.” The Amarillo metropolitan statistical area (MSA) had the lowest unemployment rate with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 3.1 percent in November, followed by the Midland MSA at 3.2 percent. The College Station-Bryan and San Angelo MSAs both registered at 3.3 percent. “Texas’ job growth in November not only highlights the benefits of our diverse and growing economy but also underscores the importance of making sure Texans can thrive in their communities,” said TWC Commissioner Representing the Public Brent Connett. “TWC and our statewide network of local partners are able to continue strengthening the Texas economy and the foundations of our communities.” Employment estimates released by TWC are produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. *All estimates are subject to revision. To access this and more employment data, visit TexasLMI.com.
