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.

August 4th Regionwide Job Fair Employers List

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Tuesday, August 4 | Athens, Longview, Marshall, Palestine, and Tyler

Texas Job Market Grows by More Than 177,000 Positions Over the Year

July 20, 2026
Texas added 43,400 nonfarm jobs in June to reach a total of 14,469,600 positions. Over the year, the state added 177,900 jobs for an annual growth rate of 1.2 percent, outpacing the national growth rate by 0.9 percentage points. Texas’ civilian labor force registered at 15,904,900 after adding 3,400 people over the month. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 29,700 people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Texas registered at 4.4 percent. “Texas’ continued job growth is a testament to the strength of our employers and robust workforce development system,” said TWC Chairman Joe Esparza. “The addition of more than 177,000 jobs over the year reinforces Texas’ reputation among employers as the best place to start and grow a business.” The Professional and Business Services industry had the largest private sector over-the-month increase in June after adding 25,500 jobs. Leisure and Hospitality added 10,300 jobs over the month while Trade, Transportation, and Utilities added 6,400. “The growth of the Texas labor market highlights the incredible talent and dedication of our state’s workforce,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. “The Texas Workforce Commission is committed to ensuring every Texan has the support they need to thrive, whether through training opportunities to gain new skills or specialized programs that help our foster youth transition into successful careers.” The Midland metropolitan statistical area (MSA) had the lowest unemployment rate with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 3.6 percent in June. It was followed by the San Angelo MSA at 3.9 percent and the Abilene MSA at 4.0 percent. “With an annual growth rate of 1.2 percent, Texas continues to outpace the national average and demonstrate economic resilience,” said TWC Commissioner Representing the Public Brent Connett. “Both job seekers and employers can seek customized career services and recruitment assistance by visiting our TWC website or their local Workforce Solutions office.” 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 . The Texas Labor Market Information Data for July is scheduled to be released on Friday, August 21, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. (CT).

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Workforce Solutions East Texas Child Care Services is proud to partner with the Panola County Chamber of Commerce to support child care leaders across the region. Through this partnership, the Chamber provides a welcoming meeting space for Directors Connect training designed to help early learning program owners and directors connect, learn, and grow together. The partnership was made possible through the support of Keri Perot-Vance, Executive Director of the Panola County Chamber of Commerce, whose commitment to community collaboration helped create a space where child care leaders can come together to share ideas, discuss challenges, and strengthen their leadership skills. The partnership began in 2025 in response to daycare owners expressing a need for accessible training opportunities. Recognizing this need, Panola County Chamber of Commerce graciously offered to host the Directors Connect training in its beautiful historic building. This collaboration provides child care professionals with the opportunity to earn professional development hours required to remain in compliance with Child Care Regulation and Texas Rising Star. Tonia Crawford and Aerial Jones, Business Industry Specialists for Child Care Services and facilitators of Directors Connect, say the program has evolved into so much more than a training opportunity. It has become a space for meaningful conversations, professional connections, and shared solutions. Through these gatherings, directors are strengthening their businesses, growing as leaders, and ultimately enhancing the quality of care provided to children and families throughout East Texas. Workforce Solutions East Texas Child Care Services is grateful for the Panola County Chamber of Commerce's ongoing support and looks forward to continuing this impactful partnership for years to come. Together, we are investing in stronger leaders, stronger child care programs, and stronger communities.
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