The Texas Workforce Commission is making a long-term investment in the Lone Star state’s future with $54 million of grants to schools for career training programs, including truck driving and diesel mechanics. These awards will fund new equipment purchases and open up exciting career paths for students.
“Texas continues to cultivate a highly-skilled, diverse workforce through major investments in career and technical education training programs for our students,” Gov. Greg Abbott said Dec. 28 when announcing Jobs and Education for Texans grants enabling students to earn a license, certificate, or post-secondary degree.
With the goal of preparing today’s students for successful careers in high-demand industries, the grants are available to assist public community colleges, state and technical schools, school districts and open enrollment charter schools with the startup costs associated with launching education programs for trucking vocations. Any equipment funded through JET grants must be used to train students for jobs in high-demand jobs.
“It’s important to identify high-demand jobs, but it’s critical to proactively commit resources to ensure Texans are ready to meet those workforce needs,” said Bryan Daniel, chair of the Texas Workforce Commission.
Below are a few of the grants that have already been approved.
- Frank Phillips College – $212,515
Funds will be used to help purchase and install equipment to train 50 students for careers such as mechanics for trucks or busses and diesel engine specialists. - Lamar State College-Orange – $159,780
Funds will be used for training equipment to help prepare students for jobs in transportation and moving materials, starting with 126 students. - Laredo College – $336,300
Funds will be used to buy and install equipment to initially train 200 students to become heavy truck drivers. - Laredo Independent School District – $712,500
Funds will be used to buy and install equipment to start training 130 students to become truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists. - Weatherford Independent School District – $151,813
Funds will be used to purchase and install equipment to initially teach 225 teen students to start careers as truck mechanics and to service diesel engines. - Windham School District – $544,664
Funds will be used to provide educational programs to eligible incarcerated students across their 89 school sites, working with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. $265,810 will enable them to buy equipment to train 30 students to be heavy truck drivers and $278,854 will be used to train 36 stents to become industrial truck and tractor operators.
Grants like these are essential in order to provide opportunities for students to pursue these high-demand careers. These awards enable schools to expand their options and give students the chance to earn licenses and certificates that can lead to great job opportunities. The investment of career and technical education and training programs in an investment in the future of the state and its workforce. Expanding these programs ensures that the state has a skilled and diverse workforce ready to meet the demands of businesses now and in the future.
