Redwater, TX – As part of $54 million awarded by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) in Career and Technical Education funding, Redwater ISD has received $494,984 to help purchase and install equipment to provide training in the occupation of Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers.
TWC’s Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants were awarded to public community, state, and technical colleges, school districts, and open-enrollment charter schools across the state. These grants will be used to purchase necessary equipment to establish or expand career and technical education programs that offer Texas students the opportunity to earn a license, certificate, or post-secondary degree in fields such as nursing, welding, automotive repair, and dentistry.
A total of 152 grants were awarded to 21 public junior colleges, technical institutes, and state colleges and 86 to Texas independent school districts, and open enrollment charter schools.
For Redwater ISD, funding will serve an estimated 80 students in the Level 1 Certificate Program for Welding and allow for a complete remodel/expansion of the RISD Welding Shop. Additional items covered through the grant include the purchase of: ten (10) Miller 220 Multimatic Welding Machines; eight (8) Lincoln Welding Booths; Spitfire Cutting Table & Controller; Cutting Table Torch Kits; Metal Bender & Dies; Dual Miter Metal Cutting Band Saw; new Dust Collect Duct System for the existing 25 welding booths in the shop.
“As a first-time recipient of TWC JET Grant funds, we are thrilled,” said Dr. Kelly Burns, Redwater ISD Superintendent. “The expansion and update of our RISD Welding Shop with these funds is tremendous and will give more of our students the opportunity to receive a certification in welding. I look forward to seeing our welding program grow and working with TWC on future JET Grant funding.”
Through funding provided by the Texas Legislature and approved by the Governor each biennium, TWC uses JET grants to defray start-up costs of developing career and technical education programs for public community, state and technical colleges, school districts, and open enrollment charter schools. Equipment funded through JET grants must be used to train students for jobs in high-demand occupations. Through the action of the 87th Legislature and in partnership with the Texas Education Agency, TWC was allocated an additional $50 million to provide grants to eligible applicants in FY 2022.