Central Texas Schools Receive JET Grants to Strengthen Career and Technical Education

KILLEEN, Texas — On Friday, September 8th, Central Texas College hosted an event where Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants totaling more than $229,000 were awarded to two esteemed educational institutions. These grants, presented by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), represent a pivotal step towards fortifying career and technical education programs in Central Texas. They will empower the recipient schools to procure and install essential equipment, facilitating the training of 70 students in high-demand occupations within the fields of manufacturing and healthcare.

At the presentation ceremony, TWC Commissioner Representing Employers, Aaron Demerson, was on hand to present the grants. Joining him in this celebration were state representative Brad Buckley and a host of state and local officials, as well as school staff.

The two JET grants awarded are as follows:

Oglesby Independent School District (ISD): This district will receive a grant totaling $149,064 to acquire equipment for the training of 30 students as welders in partnership with Central Texas College.

Rosebud-Lott ISD: A grant of $80,868 has been designated for Rosebud-Lott ISD to train 40 students as registered nurses in collaboration with Temple College.

Notably, Copperas Cove ISD, which was previously announced as a JET Grant recipient in March, also received their grant check, further highlighting the enduring commitment to enhancing education in the region.

The provision of JET grants is made possible through funding provided by the Texas Legislature each biennium. TWC leverages these grants to offset start-up costs associated with developing career and technical education programs across various educational institutions, including public community colleges, state and technical colleges, school districts, and charter schools. The equipment procured through JET grants is exclusively dedicated to training students for jobs in high-demand occupations.

Susan Kamas, Executive Director of Workforce Solutions of Central Texas, which played a pivotal role in presenting these grants, shared her enthusiasm, stating, “We are thrilled to collaborate with TWC and educational institutions to pave the way for a brighter future for our students and our region. These grants represent a significant step towards addressing the workforce needs of Central Texas.”