Press Items: Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa — District 20

Austin, TX — Governor Greg Abbott today announced that the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has awarded six Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants totaling $1,697,701 to six schools in South Texas. These grants will fund career and technical education (CTE) training programs, helping schools purchase and install equipment to train 707 students for high-demand jobs, including truck driving, nursing, automotive service technology, and more.

The six JET grant recipients include:

• Donna Independent School District (ISD): a $337,820 grant to train 310 students as medical assistants in partnership with South Texas College.
• La Feria ISD: a $262,361 grant to train 150 students as registered nurses in partnership with Texas Southmost College.
• Laredo College: a $109,083 grant to train 80 students as truck drivers.
• Los Fresnos Consolidated ISD: a $347,472 grant to train 35 students as electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians in partnership with Texas State Technical College.
• Sharyland ISD: a $336,101 grant to train 120 students as registered nurses in partnership with South Texas College.
• South Texas ISD: a $304,864 grant to train 12 students as automotive service technicians and mechanics in partnership with South Texas College.

Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, a longtime supporter of the JET Program, issued the following statement:

“Congratulations to the schools in South Texas that received Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants from the Texas Workforce Commission. I appreciate Texas Workforce Commissioner Alberto Trevino III visiting the Rio Grande Valley to award $1.7 million in grants to our school districts for the benefit of our students.

Education is the best equalizer, and these investments are key to building a skilled workforce, driving continued growth, and ensuring prosperity. For many years, I have championed legislation and supported funding for initiatives like the JET grant program. I was proud to author and pass SB 1351 during the 2015 legislative session, which transferred the JET program from the Comptroller’s Office to the Texas Workforce Commission and prioritized grants to teach and prepare our students with the work skills they need to succeed in the workforce."

During the 2025 legislative session, the Legislature appropriated $31 million to the Texas Workforce Commission for JET grants. These grants help students gain essential technical skills and connect them with job’s in today's market. As employers increasingly require more than a high school diploma, they are partnering with high schools and community colleges to help meet the demands of the 21st-century workforce.

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