Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Tuesday the distribution of over $7.3 million in workforce training grants to 22 programs statewide.

The funding aims to address skill gaps in healthcare, technology, and trades across Texas communities. The Texas Talent Connection grants represent the state’s continued investment in workforce development amid economic expansion. Since 2015, the program has awarded over $57 million to training initiatives.

“Texas leads the nation in job creation thanks to the Best Business Climate in America and our skilled, growing workforce,” said Gov. Abbott. “To continue to meet workforce demands in an expanding economy, Texas is connecting more Texans to the skills training needed for the better job and bigger paycheck opportunities we provide.”

The competitive grants target programs that boost job placement, wages, and retention. Special focus is given to opportunity youth — those aged 16 to 24 who are not engaged in education or employment.

Healthcare training dominates the funding landscape. Alliance of Community Assistance Ministries received $350,000 to train medical assistants, dental assistants, and certified nursing assistants across six counties, including Harris and Fort Bend.

Houston’s Capital IDEA secured $350,000 for its third year of nursing and technology training. The program serves unemployed and underemployed adults across nine counties in the greater Houston area.

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Technology initiatives also received significant backing. Per Scholas secured $350,000 to continue providing tuition-free IT training for help desk analysts and network engineers in major Texas metropolitan areas.

Texas Premier Technology Institute Tech University received $278,000 for rapid training in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and IT support. The program targets veterans and disadvantaged youth in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.

Rural communities weren’t overlooked in the funding distribution. The Smithville Workforce Training Center secured $331,744 to pilot a culinary and hospitality program that integrates apprenticeships in Bastrop and Fayette counties.

The Rural Capital Area Workforce Development Board received $296,340 for pre-nursing education. The program creates pathways to licensed vocational, registered, and bachelor’s degrees in nursing across nine rural counties.

Several programs specifically target opportunity youth populations. American YouthWorks received $350,000 for pre-apprenticeship training in construction trades across Central Texas counties.

Restore Education secured funding for paid work experiences in bookkeeping, pharmacy tech, and commercial driving. The program serves foster youth and justice-involved youth in the San Antonio region.

Transportation and logistics training received substantial support. Texas State Technical College obtained $348,074 for commercial driver license training in the Waco area.

Lamar State College Port Arthur received $350,000 for transportation and construction training. The program specifically targets minority and underserved students in Southeast Texas.

The grants are funded by Wagner-Peyser 7(b) federal funds, allocated by the U.S. Department of Labor. The Texas Workforce Investment Council oversees the competitive grant process for the Governor’s office.

Abbott emphasized the partnership between the state government and community organizations.

“Together with our community partners and entrepreneurs, we will build an even stronger Texas workforce of tomorrow,” he said.

The funding reflects Texas’s economic priorities in expanding sectors. Healthcare, technology, transportation, and skilled trades are the primary recipients of grant allocations across both urban and rural communities.