Special to the NEWS
AUSTIN, TX—Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently announced that the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has awarded six Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants totaling $1,697,701 to six schools in South Texas, including Los Fresnos CISD and South Texas ISD, which has a campus in San Benito.
The JET grants will support career and technical education (CTE) training programs by helping schools purchase and install equipment to train 707 students in high-demand occupations such as truck drivers, nurses, automotive service technicians, and more.
“Texas’ success in being the number one leader in job creation and economic development starts with a strong and skilled workforce,” said Governor Abbott. “These JET grants provide critical funding to expand career and technical education programs as well as equip students in South Texas with the skills they need for high-demand careers. I thank the Texas Workforce Commission and our education partners for their dedication to building the future of our workforce.”
“The JET grants awarded today will help South Texas schools prepare more than 700 students for successful careers,” said TWC Chairman Joe Esparza. “Working alongside partners across the state, the Texas Workforce Commission is developing a skilled workforce to help Texas employers thrive.”
TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III presented the awards at a ceremony attended by state and local officials and school staff at South Texas College in McAllen.
The six JET grants include: Donna Independent School District (ISD): a $337,820 grant to train 310 students as medical assistants in partnership with South Texas College; La Feria ISD: a $262,361 grant to train 150 students as registered nurses in partnership with Texas Southmost College; Laredo College: a $109,083 grant to train 80 students as truck drivers; Los Fresnos Consolidated ISD: a $347,472 grant to train 35 students as electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians in partnership with Texas State Technical College; Sharyland ISD: a $336,101 grant to train 120 students as registered nurses in partnership with South Texas College; and South Texas ISD: a $304,864 grant to train 12 students as automotive service technicians and mechanics in partnership with South Texas College.
Through funding provided by the Texas Legislature each biennium, TWC uses JET grants to defray start-up costs to develop or expand career and technical education programs for public community, state, and technical colleges; school districts; and open-enrollment charter schools.
Equipment funded through JET grants must be used to train students for jobs in high-demand occupations.
The JET program provides grants to buy and install equipment for career and technical education (CTE) courses.
These courses must lead to a license, certificate or post-secondary degree in a high-demand occupation.
The JET Advisory Board meets every quarter to review received applications.
Eligible grantees include: public junior, state or technical colleges, Texas Independent School Districts (ISDs) in partnership with a public junior, state, or technical college, open-enrollment charter schools in partnership with a public junior, state, or technical college, Windham School District.
Eligible educational institutions can apply for JET funding through a competitive grant process. The complete FY26 RFA packet, which includes eligibility, requirements and submission documents can be downloaded from the TWC Procurement Portal website.
In order to prepare a submission, please log into the portal. Those who do not have a Bonfire account can create an account by clicking the “Log in/Register” button on the portal. Registration is free.
For the FY 26–27 biennium, $30 million was allocated for public junior, technical, and state colleges; Texas independent school districts, open-enrollment charter schools that have partnered with a college; and the Windham School District.
These grants provide potential economic returns by supporting emerging industries or high-demand occupations, offering new or expanded career and technical education (CTE) opportunities in public high schools, according to the TWC website.