TWC Outreach & Employer Initiatives
The Texas Workforce Commission has a diverse portfolio of programs and services to support the workforce needs of current and prospective Texas businesses.
Funding Opportunities
High Demand Job Training
The High Demand Job Training (HDJT) program supports collaborations between local workforce development boards (Boards) and Type A or Type B economic development corporations (EDCs). Through the HDJT program, Boards partner with local EDCs to use their local economic development sales taxes for high-demand job training and other workforce-related activities. TWC supports these partnerships by providing up to $150,000 as a match to local economic development sales tax funds.
Texas Industry Partnership
The Texas Industry Partnership (TIP) program targets skills gaps and ensures a talent pipeline is available to address regional industry needs. Private employers, corporate foundations, and most 501(C)6 organizations can collaborate with local workforce development boards to apply for funding to support workforce development projects focused on high-demand, target occupations for job training in their communities. The TIP program supports collaborations between Boards and industry partners by leveraging matching contributions of up to $150,000 for workforce-related activities including occupational job training.
Skills Development Fund
A Texas public community college, technical college, local Workforce Development Board, or the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service can apply for the grant in partnership with a business, business consortium, or trade union. Skills Development Fund Program parameters include:
- Up to $500,000 per business (more for a consortium) for customized training needed by the business
- Target average cost per trainee of $2,400
- Training for full-time employees
Lone Star Workforce of the Future Fund
Public community or technical colleges, or nonprofit organizations are eligible for funds to support workforce training programs for entry to mid-level jobs in high demand occupations. Lone Star Workforce of the Future Program parameters include:
- Cost per trainee of up to $7,500
- Grants may be up to $250,000
- 40% of project funding must come from a source other than state government
- At least 50% of program participants must be placed into high demand occupations that earn a self-sufficient wage
Skills for Small Business
A small business with fewer than 100 employees can apply for the grant. Skills for Small Business Program parameters include:
- Up to $2,000 per new hire and up to $1,000 per incumbent worker for tuition and fees in a 12-month period
- Training for full-time employees
- Training selected from courses offered by a Texas public community or technical college or the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service
Self Sufficiency Fund
A private, nonprofit community-based organization (501(c)(3)), public community college, technical college, or Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service can apply for a grant of up to $500,000 for training projects. Self Sufficiency Fund Program parameters include:
- Training for adult recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), individuals at risk of being on public assistance, low-income parents, and youth up to the age of 24 who are part of a low-income family.
- Training must result in an acceptable industry-recognized certification that leads to permanent full-time employment opportunities
- Target average cost per trainee of $2,500
Jobs & Education for Texans
The Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) program provides grants to public community, state, and technical colleges, school districts, and open-enrollment charter schools to purchase and install equipment necessary for the development of career and technical education courses or programs that lead to a license, certificate, or post-secondary degree in a high-demand occupation.
Grants are awarded annually based on a competitive process.
Skills for Success Fund
Think of this as an opportunity to help your employees get better at their job!
Employers across Texas value workforce readiness skills, more commonly known as “soft skills.” TWC's Skills for Success (SFS) Program can help employers by funding workforce training in essential skills such as communication, organization, teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, digital literacy, conflict resolution, and time management.
Funds have been allocated from the Skills Development Fund to provide resources to employers to upskill their current and new employees with the skills needed to build a cohesive, responsible, and productive workforce.
NEED ASSISTANCE WITH THESE GRANTS?
CONTACT TWC'S REGIONAL


