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Several Southeast Texas school districts and two colleges were awarded nearly $3.2 million in Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants, announced by Gov. Greg Abbott on Sept. 15.
The JET grants will support career and technical education (CTE) training programs by helping the schools purchase and install equipment to initially train students for high-demand occupations as plumbers, transportation workers, nurses, welders, diesel mechanic specialists and more. The awards were presented at a ceremony attended by state and local officials, school staff and CTE students at Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT).
“Texas continues to invest in career training programs to help our students secure good-paying jobs and meet the needs of our growing state,” said Abbott. “Thanks to partnerships with schools across our state by the Texas Workforce Commission, we will help young Texans chart a course toward successful careers in the workforce of tomorrow.”
Lamar State College-Orange was awarded $274,811 to train 125 students as petroleum pump system operators and $159,780 to train 126 students as transportation workers.
Lamar State College-Port Arthur (LSCPA) received $251,734 to train 80 students as HVAC mechanics and $310,616 to train 10 students as licensed nurses.
Woodville ISD received $97,812 to train 126 students as plumbers in partnership with Lee College and $516,024 to train 126 students as welders in partnership with LIT.
Spurger ISD was awarded $368,058 to train 30 students as welders in partnership with LIT and Newton ISD was allotted $99,512 to train 76 students as welders in partnership with LIT.
Deweyville ISD received $257,386 to train 126 students as HVAC mechanics in partnership with LIT.
Jasper ISD was awarded $863,617— $564,658 to train 45 students as welders in partnership with LIT, $127,956 to train 25 students as nurses and $171,057 to train 30 students as electricians in partnership with LSCPA.
Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chairman Bryan Daniel said his agency recognizes the work of its valuable education partners to train thousands of Texans in high-demand occupations
“These JET grants are just one way TWC continues to invest in a workforce that supports the Lone Star State’s record-breaking economy,” he added.
Previously, LIT was announced to receive a $343,340 grant to help train 90 students as welders.
“The growing Texas economy has created a greater demand for workers in a range of jobs,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “Through the JET grant program, TWC and our partners provide modern equipment to help train the future Texas workforce for these valuable career opportunities.”