Three Texas Panhandle colleges receive over $700,000 to expand career training

Austin, Texas – Three colleges in the Texas Panhandle have been awarded more than $739,700 in career training grants aimed at preparing students for high-demand jobs in fields such as emergency medicine and nursing. The Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants, distributed by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), will provide funding to help the schools acquire and install state-of-the-art equipment for career and technical education (CTE) programs.

The announcement was made last week by Governor Greg Abbott, who emphasized the importance of workforce training to the state’s continued economic growth. “The Texas economy is booming thanks to our diverse and highly skilled workforce,” said Governor Abbott. “Investments to these three Panhandle area schools are crucial to the continued success of our workforce and building a stronger, more prosperous Texas.”

He also praised the Texas Workforce Commission for their role in ensuring students across the state are equipped with the skills needed for well-paying, essential jobs. “Working together, we will ensure Texans in every corner of our state have the opportunity for a better job and a bigger paycheck.”

The three institutions awarded the JET grants include:

• Amarillo College, which received $311,476 to train 120 students for careers as emergency medical technicians.

• Clarendon College, awarded $97,025 to train 11 students as nursing assistants.

• Frank Phillips College, which received $331,298 to train 100 students as licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses.

These programs are expected to initially serve more than 230 students, with an emphasis on job readiness for vital roles in the healthcare industry.

TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel noted the strategic value of these investments: “JET grant awards will allow hundreds of students to train for critical healthcare occupations like emergency medical technicians and nurses. Our partnership with innovative education institutions supports the success of future job seekers while building a pipeline of talented workers to meet local business needs.”

TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza presented the awards during a ceremony at the Workforce Solutions Panhandle regional office, where local leaders and school representatives gathered to celebrate the funding.

The JET program, funded biennially by the Texas Legislature, provides financial support to public community and technical colleges, school districts, and charter schools. These grants help cover start-up costs for expanding or launching CTE programs aligned with high-demand careers. All equipment funded through the JET initiative must be used for training students in occupations critical to Texas’ growing workforce needs.

More JET awards for the current fiscal year are expected to be announced soon. To learn more about the JET grant program, visit the Texas Workforce Commission website.