Overview
The Texas Industry Partnership (TIP) program was established by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to address skills gaps and ensure a talent pipeline is available to address regional industry needs. Private employers, corporate foundations, and most 501(C)6 organizations can collaborate with Workforce Development Boards (Boards) to apply for funding for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) activities to support workforce development projects.
About the Program
The TIP program supports collaborations between Boards and industry partners by leveraging matching contributions of cash or qualifying expenditures for workforce-related activities including occupational job training.
Matching funds must support certain WIOA activities and focus on High Demand/Target Occupations, determined by the Boards and or the occupations in industries targeted by the Office of the Governor.
Current industries targeted by the Office of the Governor are listed below:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Aerospace, Aviation and Defense
- Biotechnology and Life Sciences
- Energy
- Information Technology
- Petroleum Refining and Chemical Products
- Corporate Services
- Creative Industry
Target Industry Clusters | Texas Economic Development | Office of the Texas Governor | Greg Abbott
Allowable activities include:
- Participant recruitment
- Skills assessment
- Workforce related training studies
- Job search skills improvement
- Job search
- job referral
- Equipment
- Program-related minor renovation of facilities used for job training
- Training
- Mentoring
- Support services
Allowable use of Leveraged Funds can support direct training or training-related costs including but not limited to the following examples:
- Instructor salaries
- Consumable supplies
- Tuition (training)
- Minor renovations
- Supportive services
- Linkages to community services
- Assistance with transportation
- Assistance with educational testing
- Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities
- Assistance with uniforms or other appropriate work attire and work-related tools, including such items as eyeglasses and protective eye gear
- Assistance with books, fees, school supplies, and other necessary items for students enrolled in postsecondary education classes
- Payments and fees for employment and training-related applications, tests, and certifications
- Pay for a capital project regarding a training facility (if it can be completed before the grant expires)
- Outreach activities
- Pay for administrative costs of the board by leveraged funds
How to Apply
Organizations interested in partnering in a grant should contact their local Board. To apply for the grant funds, Board partners must enter into an agreement with one or more industry partner and submit the application form listed below. The completed, signed and dated application documents must be submitted by email to oeitexasindustrypartnership@twc.texas.gov to be considered.
- Texas Industry Partnership Program Application
- Texas Industry Partnership Program Questions & Answers
Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For a project to be considered in the current fiscal year, the Board is encouraged to submit the application by June 1st of that year
Grant “Big Check” Presentations
Recent recipient of a Skills Development Fund, (JET), Self Sufficiency Grant (SSF), High Demand Jobs Training (HDJT), Dual Credit (DC) or Texas Industry Partnership (TIP) grant and interested in hosting a big check presentation? Review guidelines, download required forms and plan your upcoming event.
