Huntington Independent School District, in partnership with Angelina College, is set to receive a boost in career training opportunities thanks to a sizable grant from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). Governor Greg Abbott announced the award of over $140,000 through the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant. The funds are earmarked for supporting career and technical education (CTE) training programs with a focus on welding.
Highlighting the significance of the grant, Governor Abbott stated, "Equipping young Texans with the tools they need to succeed in high-demand industries is crucial for Texas to remain the economic envy of the nation." He further emphasized, "This grant will provide hardworking students in East Texas with valuable career and technical skills so they can thrive in our booming economy." These remarks were detailed in the official news post from the Office of the Texas Governor's official website.
The grant aims to facilitate the purchase and installation of state-of-the-art equipment necessary for training students in the welding sector, addressing the skilled labor gap in the local economy. According to TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel, "JET grants like the one awarded today are an important tool to equip the future workforce of Texas for success."
The official presentation of the award took place at Huntington High School, with TWC Commissioner Representing Labor, Alberto Treviño III taking the lead in front of state and local officials, and school staff. Funding for the JET grants, which is aimed at lessening the financial burden of initiating new CTE programs for public institutions, comes from the Texas Legislature on a biennial basis. Equipment purchased via these grants is to be used for jobs in high-demand occupations, a legislative intent echoed in the celebration of this event.
