Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced that more than $14 million in Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) training grants will be distributed to 52 higher education institutions and independent school districts across the state. The grants, administered by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), are intended to help students train for jobs in high-demand industries.
The funding will allow public junior, state, and technical colleges, as well as school districts and open-enrollment charter schools, to purchase equipment for career and technical education programs. According to Governor Abbott, “As our economy grows, Texas will continue to invest in the future of our workforce. This over $14 million in career training grants will help more than 6,500 Texas students gain the tools and skills they need to go from graduation directly into good-paying jobs. I thank the Texas Workforce Commission and our education partners for training the next generation of hardworking Texans to be part of the better job and bigger paycheck opportunities that we provide in our great state.”
The JET grants aim to give students a pathway toward earning licenses, certificates, or college degrees that can lead directly to employment after graduation. New equipment purchased with these funds is expected to initially benefit over 6,500 students statewide.
TWC Chairman Joe Esparza said, “Through initiatives like the JET grant program, we are preparing our workforce to pioneer innovations and thrive on the cutting edge of industry. These grants strategically target high-growth industries, ensuring workers can find meaningful career opportunities while strengthening Texas’ reputation as the best state for doing business.”
Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 JET grant program. Eligible applicants include Texas public junior, state, and technical colleges; school districts; and open-enrollment charter schools.
A complete application packet is available on the TWC Procurement Portal website. For further information or questions about this opportunity, interested parties may contact RFAGrants@twc.texas.gov.
Among those receiving funding in 2025 are Austin Community College ($331,387 for automotive service technician training), Brazosport College ($356,250 for information security analyst training), Cisco College ($305,614 for nursing programs), Dallas College ($164,350 for truck driver training), Del Mar College ($306,834 for dental hygienist training), Grayson College ($362,896 for registered nurse training), Kilgore College ($354,491 for HVAC technician training), Lamar Institute of Technology ($354,853 for electrical repairer training), Laredo College ($109,083 for truck driver training), Northeast Texas Community College ($275,416 for nursing programs), Paris Junior College ($366,917 for aircraft mechanic training), Ranger College ($355,063 for nursing programs), San Jacinto Community College ($189,987 for engineering technologist training), Texas State Technical College ($354,099 for welding programs), Tyler Junior College ($325,293 for veterinary technician training), and Victoria College ($280,345 for registered nurse training).
JET grants will also fund equipment at several independent school districts including Anna ISD (nursing program), Central Heights ISD (phlebotomy program), Donna ISD (medical assistant program), Duncanville ISD (nursing assistant program with over 1,100 students trained expected), Frankston ISD (welding program), Freer ISD (nursing program) among others.
Funding through JET grants is provided each biennium by the Texas Legislature. The grants are used to offset start-up costs associated with developing new career and technical education programs at eligible educational institutions. Equipment purchased must support student preparation in high-demand occupations.
More information about TWC’s JET grant program can be found at their official website.
