Two state colleges and school districts were presented multiple ceremonial checks June 12 totaling more than $790,000 in Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants to support career training at four educational institutions in Southeast Texas.
Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III presented the checks at the Shahan Event Center on the campus at Lamar State College Orange.
Through funding provided by the Legislature each biennium, TWC uses JET grants to defray start-up costs of developing or expanding career and technical education programs for public community, state and technical colleges, school districts and charter schools.
Equipment funded through JET grants must be used to train students for jobs in high-demand occupations.
Dr. R.E. Davis, dean of Industry and Manufacturing Programs at Lamar State College Orange (LCSO) said, “Education is not an expense. We believe it is an investment. And, that is what the JET program is.”
LSCO was awarded a $98,799 grant to train 94 students as licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses.
Davis said Texas is the best state in the Union for doing business.
“We could not have that without the network of partnerships across the state that allow our economy to not only be No. 1 in the nation, but to be one of the top economies across the world,” he said. “And it’s partnerships with people like our governor’s office and their economic development programs, Texas Workforce Commission, our local workforce boards, Texas Education Agency and our local school districts coming together and creating the foundation for a strong Texas economy,”
Dr. Ben Stafford, vice president for Workforce and Continuing Education at Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA), thanked TWC for the funds invested in the workforce that is crucial to this area.
LSCPA was awarded a $142,500 grant to train 12 students as heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers.
“Realize, when you make an investment with the state colleges, you don’t just touch the area we’re sitting in. You touch the areas that we influence,” Stafford said. “And, that is Southeast Texas, and much of rural Deep East Texas.”
According to Stafford, many rural students simply do not have the opportunity for job training to get into a high-paying job. With funding like that provided in JET grants, all Texans can receive training to advance professionsally.
“You will see results throughout Southeast and Deep East Texas,” added Stafford.
Vidor ISD was awarded a $254,777 grant to train 100 students as welders in partnership with LSCO.
Penny Singleton, CTE director for Vidor ISD, said with this JET grant, the school district purchased 29 state-of-the-art down draft welding tables for the two welding shops, positively impacting 129 students in grades 9-12.
“These tables, equipped with built-in smoke and air scrubbers, have transformed our welding labs into much safer, healthier, cleaner learning environments,” she said. “They absolutely love these machines. This grant is a game-changer for our career and technical education department.”
Singleton said that approximately 63% of the welding graduates are currently employed.
“Thank you again for supporting the future of our students and your future workforce,” she added.
Warren ISD received a $298,470 grant to train 60 students as welders in partnership with LSCO.
Superintendent Rusty Minyard said that, with the grant money, the school district was able to purchase lots of welding equipment.
“For this incredible opportunity, the JET grant has been a true game-changer for our district,” Minyard said. “We’ve been able to completely upgrade our agricultural mechanical program and rewire an entire facility to help the new state-of-the-art equipment. This investment isn’t just about machines. It’s about our futures.”
In closing, Treviño noted the JET grant keeps the workforce skilled and trained for the cutting edge technology that’s always changing.
“This allows our workers to compete in today’s work environment. But these grants and this ceremony is more than just about solitary checks. It’s about the investment,” he stated.
Treviño also noted the JET grants help fuel the Texas economy — making sure Texas remains the “best place to work and live.”
“For your innovation and leadership, you all are going to train more than 356 students this first year,” he said. “That’s what we need to do, to keep our economy going.”
— Dannie Oliveaux | DannieOliveaux@TheExaminer.com
