Governor Greg Abbott has announced that two schools in the Austin area will receive a total of $405,954 through Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants. The funds, awarded by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), are aimed at supporting career and technical education programs by enabling the purchase and installation of equipment to train 195 students for high-demand jobs as welders and HVAC mechanics.
“In our state’s booming economy, Texas is providing students important resources and opportunities to succeed in our growing workforce,” said Governor Abbott. “These JET grants will provide students with the tools and training they need to secure good-paying jobs and promising career opportunities. By investing in the success of our students, we are building a more skilled workforce to keep Texas strong.”
TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza highlighted the economic benefits of the grant program. “The JET grant program is a powerful tool for both the local and state economy,” Esparza said. “Today’s grants will help these two schools address current and future demand by training hundreds of students for good-paying jobs as HVAC mechanics and welders.”
The awards were presented earlier today by Commissioner Esparza at Austin Community College Riverside Campus, with state and local officials as well as school staff in attendance.
Austin Community College District received $64,774 to train 120 students as HVAC mechanics. Granger Independent School District was awarded $341,180 to train 75 students as welders in partnership with Texas State Technical College – East Williamson County.
JET grants are funded each biennium by the Texas Legislature. TWC uses these funds to help start or expand career and technical education programs across public community colleges, state and technical colleges, school districts, and open-enrollment charter schools. Equipment purchased with JET grant funding must be used for training in occupations that are currently in high demand. The list of grant recipients for the current fiscal year has not yet been published but is expected in the coming months.
For more information about TWC’s JET grant program, visit https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/jobs-education-texans-jet-program-overview.
