Official and confirmed by Abbott: Texas will award over $4.7 million in grants for several high-demand jobs

Texas Governor Greg Abbott continues to bet on educational programs that help students secure high-demand, high-paying jobs. Now, he announced grants of more than $4.7 million aimed at strengthening positions in healthcare, construction, and technology.

"These grants provide community colleges and technical schools with the necessary resources so that students gain the skills that help them succeed and keep our economy the strongest in the United States," the governor says in a statement.

For his part, Higher Education Commissioner Wynn Rosser adds that "this investment not only benefits students, but also maintains the vitality and relevance of college programs while strengthening the economies of communities across the state."

In 2025, Abbott signed Senate Bill 1786, which directs the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and other agencies to work alongside industry and public colleges to expand technical and career education programs.

Who will receive the funds?

The new grants will be awarded through two competitions: Texas Invests in Meaningful Employment (TIME) and Texas Reskilling and Upskilling through Education (TRUE). Together, they fund career and technical training programs as well as the development of innovative curricula.

These funds will enable schools to develop better vocational training programs. Photo: Office of the Governor of Texas.

TIME grants, as explained on their website, are aimed at "public community and state colleges and public technical institutes that received funding from the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) program during 2024, 2025, or 2026." Each institution can receive up to $500,000.

TRUE grants, meanwhile, are for "public two-year colleges, public state colleges, and public technical institutes." Available funds range between $150,000 and $200,000. While TIME grants extend from 2026 to 2028, TRUE grants have a duration of one year (2026–2027).

The details of the grants announced by Greg Abbott are as follows:

• Alamo Community College District: $500,000.
• Amarillo College: $500,000.
• Cisco College: $497,800.
• Hill College: $500,000.
• Navarro College: $429,800.
• Northeast Texas Community College: $500,000.
• San Jacinto Community College: $392,500.
• Texas State Technical College: $179,900.
• Texas State Tech / Lamar State College-Port Arthur: $153,000.
• McLennan Community College: $188,900.
• North Central Texas College: $167,740.
• Panola College: $196,000.
• South Texas College: $152,640.
• Tarrant County College District: $200,000.
• Texas State Technical College: $186,000.

Also in July, the governor had announced the awarding of seven million dollars to strengthen training and job placement through 27 programs offering vocational training, certifications, and access to jobs in economic sectors with strong workforce demand.

Greg Abbott strengthens the education system to ensure economic growth for the state of Texas. Photo: Governor's Press Office.

The investment is part of the Texas Talent Connection program administered by the Texas Workforce Investment Council and supports educational and training projects designed to improve employment opportunities, raise workers' incomes, and increase job stability.