Local Colleges and ISDs Earn JET Grants

More than $1.7 million awarded locally to target high-demand jobs

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Local Colleges and ISDs Earn JET Grants

JET grantThe Texas Workforce Commission has awarded 23 grants totaling $4,998,598 to public junior 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. Of note, eight of those grants went to local community colleges and school systems.

“These grants will focus on advanced technical training, and will keep our Texas businesses competitive and our economy strong,” said TWC Chair Ruth R. Hughs. “By providing JET funding to our schools, we will produce the highest quality of candidates for our Texas employers in high-demand occupations as well as new emerging industries.”

Grants were awarded for the development of programs or courses leading to a license, certificate or post-secondary degree. The JET grant program focuses on projects that target high-demand jobs in new or emerging industries.

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.

“By partnering with local colleges and independent school districts, these grants will help our future workforce to explore in-demand careers across various industries and prepare our future workforce to meet the needs of Texas employers for high-demand occupations, strengthening our workforce of tomorrow,” said Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez.

Local Jobs and Education for Texans grant recipients are:

Community Colleges

  • South Texas College – $249,096 – The grant will help purchase and install equipment to provide 1,322 students in the IT profession with training for computer systems analysts.
  • Texas Southmost College – $282,509 – The grant will help purchase and install equipment to provide 138 students in the service industry profession with training for automotive service technicians and mechanics.

Independent School Districts

  • Donna Independent School District – $208,383 – The grant will help purchase and install equipment to provide 333 students in the manufacturing profession with training for welders and cutters, as well as solderers and brazers.
  • Los Fresnos Consolidated Independent School District – $268,408 – The grant will help purchase and install equipment to provide 370 students in the manufacturing profession with training for welders, cutters, solderers and brazers.
  • Raymondville Independent School District – $271,472 – The grant will help purchase and install equipment to provide 126 students in the manufacturing profession with training for welders, cutters, solderers and brazers.
  • Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District – $280,630 – The grant will help purchase and install equipment to provide 320 students in the medical profession with training for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses.
  • Hidalgo Independent School District – $95,323 – The grant will help purchase as well as install equipment to provide 84 students in the medical profession with training for pharmacy technicians.
  • Harlingen Independent School District – $116,412 – The grant will help purchase and install equipment to provide 188 students in the manufacturing profession with training for electrical and electronical engineering technicians.

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