TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez Presents $322,033 in Grant Funding to Rio Grande Valley-Area
Date: April 18, 2019
Media Contact: Lisa Givens
Phone: 512-463-8556
AUSTIN ⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has awarded three individual grants: a $49,900 High Demand Job Training (HDJT) grant to Workforce Solutions Cameron in collaboration with Harlingen Economic Development Corporation; a $155,721 Skills Development Fund grant to Texas State Technical College – Harlingen in partnership with a manufacturing consortium; and a $116,412 Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant to Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District. These grants will benefit workers in the Workforce Solutions area of Cameron.
“Today reflects the state’s ongoing commitment to employee development and helping Texas workers find rewarding, high-paying careers.” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. “Presenting these High Demand Job Training, Jobs and Education for Texans and Skills Development Fund grants ensures that our local community has a workforce that is competitive and talented.”
The $49,900 HDJT grant will benefit workers and employers in the Workforce Solutions Cameron area by providing tuition for up to 10 students to attend automotive repair training through a collaboration with the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation, Workforce Solutions Cameron and Texas State Technical College-Harlingen.
This HDJT grant is part of a statewide effort by TWC to support collaborations between Workforce Solutions partners and local economic development entities to create job training programs that will improve the skill sets of individuals for jobs in high-demand occupations in Texas communities.
Texas State Technical College – Harlingen, in partnership with Aloe Laboratories Inc., Atlantic Durant Technology Inc., Fox Valley Molding and Sauceda’s Precision Grinding Inc. will use the $155,721 Skills Development Fund grant to provide custom training to 79 new and incumbent workers in the manufacturing industry. Trainees will include maintenance mechanics, machine operators, and machinists. Upon completion of training, the workers will receive an average hourly wage of $16.05.
Since its inception in 1996, the Skills Development Fund grants have created or upgraded more than 356,744 jobs throughout Texas. The grants have assisted 4,356 employers with their customized training needs. The Legislature allocated $48 million to the Skills Development Fund for the 2018-19 biennium. Employers seeking more information about the Skills Development Fund may visit the TWC website at www.texasworkforce.org/skills.
In addition, TWC also awarded Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District a $116,412 JET grant to help the district purchase and install equipment to provide students with training for careers as electrical and electronic engineering technicians.
The JET program provides funding for equipment to eligible educational institutions for the purpose of developing career and technical education courses and may include courses offering dual-credit and technical education programs.
Workforce Solutions Cameron contact: Pat Hobbs, Executive Director, Workforce Solutions Cameron, 956-459-0490, pat.hobbs@wfscameron.org
Texas State Technical College - Harlingen contact: Isidro Ramos, Executive Director Workforce Development, 956-433-7253, isidro.ramos@tstc.edu
HCISD contact: Shane Strubhart, Director of Public Relations, 956-430-9530, r.strubhart@hcisd.org
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The Texas Workforce Commission is a state agency dedicated to helping Texas employers, workers and communities prosper economically. For details on TWC and the services it offers in coordination with its network of local workforce development boards, call 512-463-8942 or visit www.texasworkforce.org. To receive notifications about TWC programs and services subscribe to our email updates.
