Overview
The High Demand Job Training Program (HDJT) was established by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to support collaborations between Workforce Development Boards (Boards) and economic development corporations (EDCs) to provide High Demand/Target Occupations job training in their communities through the use of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds.
About the Program
The HDJT program is intended to support Boards in partnering with local EDCs that use their local economic development sales taxes for high-demand job training and workforce related activities. TWC supports these partnerships by providing funds to Boards as a match to local economic development sales tax funds and jointly support the provision of such projects.
Training must focus on High Demand/Target Occupations (determined by the Board) and/or 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
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 forms listed below. The completed, signed and dated application documents must be submitted by email to oeihighdemand@twc.texas.gov to be considered.
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.
