In July, Gov. Greg Abbott announced $7.3 million in Texas Talent Connection for 22 innovative workforce skills training and job placement programs in communities across the state, including more than $650,000 to a Southeast Texas state college and technical school.
Since 2015, Abbott has awarded more than $57 million in Texas Talent Connection grants.
“Texas leads the nation in job creation thanks to the Best Business Climate in America and our skilled, growing workforce,” said Abbott. “To continue to meet workforce demands in an expanding economy, Texas is connecting more Texans to the skills training needed for the better job and bigger paycheck opportunities we provide. Together with our community partners and entrepreneurs, we will build an even stronger Texas workforce of tomorrow.”
The grants support “innovative education and workforce skills training” programs that traditionally lead to successful job placements, increased wages and improved job retention, as well as serve workforce populations with special needs, such as opportunity youth between the ages of 16 and 24 not engaged in education or employment.
The more than $7.3 million in Texas Talent Connection grant awards include:
• Lamar Institute of Technology: $300,791 for year three of the Drive Southeast Texas Talent project serving Jefferson County. The grant provides technical skills training for low to moderate income individuals and industry-based certifications including clinical medical assistant, medication aide, draftsman, welding and transportation.
• Lamar State College Port Arthur: $350,000 for year three of the Sempra LNG — Clean Energy and Fair Jobs project serving Chambers, Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Newton, and Orange counties. The grant provides training for minority and underserved students in transportation and construction.
The Texas Workforce Investment Council assists the governor and the Texas Legislature with strategic planning for and evaluation of the Texas workforce system to promote the development of a well-educated, highly skilled workforce for Texas. The Council’s appointed members represent business and industry, organized labor, education, and community-based organizations.
Ex officio members include the Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Education Agency, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the Governor’s Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office.
The $7.3 million in Texas Talent Connection grants awarded this year by Abbott are Wagner-Peyser 7(b) grant funds allocated to the Office of the Governor by the U.S. Department of Labor to encourage innovation in workforce training and job placement services.
