Five school systems across Texas Forest Country are splitting about $1.13 million in state money to buy equipment for career training programs, part of a round of grants Gov. Greg Abbott announced Oct. 12.
The awards come from the Jobs and Education for Texans program — JET for short — which the Texas Workforce Commission runs. The state awarded 84 JET grants totaling more than $20 million to public junior, state and technical colleges, school districts and open-enrollment charter schools. The money buys equipment, which is the part of a career and technical education program that has to be paid for before a single student enrolls: the lab gear, the welding booths, the machine tools. TWC says the equipment bought in this round will train more than 7,400 students in the first year alone.
What the local schools got
Angelina College drew the largest award in the area, $305,116 to train 100 students as registered nurses. The state’s list uses the district’s formal name, Angelina Jr College District.
Garrison ISD in Nacogdoches County got $342,190 to train 64 students as welders, working with Panola College.
Livingston ISD in Polk County got $255,955 to train 120 students as welders, in partnership with Lamar Institute of Technology.
Leggett ISD, also in Polk County, got $166,277 to train 40 students as food service managers, with Lamar State College Orange.
Chester ISD in Tyler County got $59,123 to train 111 students as machinists, also with Lamar State College Orange. It’s the smallest grant on the local list and the one that reaches the most students.
Together the five awards come to $1,128,661 and cover about 435 students in the first year.
Nurses, welders and machinists
The occupations on that list aren’t a coincidence. JET money only goes to programs that train for what the state calls high-demand jobs, and in this part of East Texas that keeps coming back to health care and the trades. Three of the five local grants pay for welding or machining. The two biggest pay for nursing and welding.
“Students deserve a clear and affordable path to high-paying careers,” Abbott said. “Through more than $20 million in career training grants, Texas students will have the opportunity to earn licenses, certificates, or college degrees that lead to high-wage jobs.”
“A skilled workforce is essential to the success of Texas businesses and the strength of our economy,” TWC Chairman Joe Esparza said.
The Legislature funds the program, and the grants are meant to cover start-up costs.
The next round
TWC plans to post the request for applications for 2027 JET grants later this fall. Public junior, state and technical colleges, school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, the Texas Juvenile Justice Department and probation departments can all apply. The application packet goes up on the TWC Procurement Portal once it’s posted. Questions about this year’s announcement go to the Governor’s Press Office at (512) 463-1826.
