Governor Abbott Announces Over $1.3 Million In Career Training Grants For West Central Texas Schools

September 14, 2026 | Austin, Texas | Press Release

Governor Greg Abbott today announced four Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants totaling $1,327,075 have been awarded to four schools in West Central Texas. The JET grants, administered by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), will support career and technical education (CTE) training programs by helping the schools purchase and install equipment to initially train 356 students for high-demand occupations such as welders and nurses.

“Our students are the future of our state, and it is critical that they have the resources they need to succeed,” said Governor Abbott. “These grants will provide a pathway to well-paying jobs in Texas’ most high-demand fields.”

“Training on industry-standard equipment immediately gives students a competitive edge in the job market and signals to local employers they are ready for hire,” said TWC Chairman Joe Esparza. “These JET grants will give our healthcare providers and industrial businesses access to over 350 career-ready nurses and welders who are prepared to make a difference on day one.”

Earlier today, Chairman Esparza presented the awards at a ceremony attended by state and local officials as well as school staff at Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas in Abilene.

The four JET grants include:

• Cisco College: a $305,614 grant to train 76 students as licensed practical and licensed vocational nursing.
• Graford Independent School District (ISD): a $312,299 grant to train 50 students as welders in partnership with Texas State Technical College – Breckenridge.
• Ranger College: a $355,063 grant to train 200 students as licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses.
• Texas State Technical College: a $354,099 grant to train 30 students as welders.

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. JET grant awards for the current fiscal year have yet to be announced and will be published in the coming months.

Learn more about TWC’s JET grant program.