Texas announced four workforce training grants totaling $1.7 million, with funding directed to Houston City College and Workforce Solutions Lower Rio Grande Valley to prepare workers for jobs in manufacturing, technology, and logistics.
The Skills Development Fund (SDF) grants will support training for 689 workers, according to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), which administers the program.
Houston City College received three of the grants. Tesla Inc. will use $782,998 to train 261 workers as maintenance technicians, process technicians, and welders. Texas Tissue Converting LLC and Karsten Management LLC will share $690,044 to train 300 workers for maintenance technician, production line operator, design specialist, and supervisory roles. Watchfire Signs LLC received $83,963 to train 41 workers as operations specialists, industrial maintenance technicians, and production supervisors.
Workforce Solutions Lower Rio Grande Valley received a $169,087 grant to train 87 workers at Denso Ten America Limited, Alps Logistics (USA) Inc., Index Fresh Inc., and Emerson Electric Co. for roles in manufacturing and transportation.
The Skills Development Fund, which has existed since 1996, partners public community and technical colleges, workforce development boards, and Texas universities to provide customized training for businesses. Since its inception, the program has supported training for over 446,000 jobs in partnership with more than 5,000 employers.