Texas Border Business
Pharr, Texas – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) recently awarded 23 grants totaling $4,998,598 to public junior colleges, public technical institutes, public state colleges, and independent school districts for programs that focus on supporting high-demand occupations through the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant program. Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD (PSJA) was one of only 13 school districts in Texas awarded a $280,630 grant that will provide students interested in the medical field with training to become licensed practical and vocational nurses.
“These grants will focus on advanced technical training and will keep our Texas businesses competitive and our economy strong,” said TWC Chair Ruth R. Hughs. “By providing JET funding to our schools, we will produce the highest quality of candidates for our Texas employers in high-demand occupations as well as new emerging industries.”
Qualifying educational institutions were awarded the grant for the development of programs or courses leading to a license, certificate or post-secondary degree. The JET grant program focuses on projects that target high-demand jobs in new or emerging industries. It also assists in developing career and technical education courses, which may include courses offering dual-credit and technical education programs.
At PSJA ISD, the grant will help purchase equipment to provide 320 students with hands-on skills in the medical profession of their choice.
“The JET grant will help purchase equipment that will aid students with their hands-on technical skills and bedside manner,” said PSJA Career Technical Education (CTE) Director Griselda Quintanilla. “PSJA CTE students will receive training that leads to an industry-recognized certification in Emergency Medical Technician or Patient Technician Care Assistant, which includes EKG and Phlebotomy to give students an advantage when enrolling into a Licensed Vocational Nursing program.”
