Caldwell County among those Governor Abbott grants funds to in Texas Talent Connection projects

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today announced over $7 million in Texas Talent Connection grants to 27 innovative workforce skills training and job placement programs in communities across the state. These competitive grants administered by the Texas Workforce Investment Council in the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office support innovative education and workforce skills training programs that lead to successful job placements, increased wages, and improved job retention, as well as serve workforce populations with special needs.

     “The Texas economy soars to new heights because of the hard work and dedication of our young and skilled workforce,” said Governor Abbott. “These grants will allow more Texans to acquire the skills they need to succeed in high-demand careers. As we train our future workforce, Texas will remain the economic engine of the country.” 

     The $7,002,965 in Texas Talent Connection grant awards announced today include:

•American YouthWorks: $200,000 for year three of the YouthBuild: Pre-Apprenticeship for Opportunity Youth project in Bastrop, Blanco, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties. The project provides pre-apprenticeship training for youth ages 16 to 24 who are not engaged in education or employment, work-based learning, registered apprenticeship, and postsecondary education and training at no cost to participants.

•Rural Capital Area Workforce Development Board, Inc.: $236,709 for year two of the Rural Pre-Nursing Readiness and Education Program (PREP) project serving Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, and Williamson counties. This program addresses critical healthcare shortages and builds upon existing employer partnerships to create accessible career pathways for underserved rural residents in licensed vocational, registered and Bachelor of Science Nursing programs.

•Skillpoint Alliance: $200,000 for year one of the Skillpoint IGNITE project in Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, Travis, and Williamson counties. This project provides training and guidance for students transitioning from an electrical pre-apprenticeship to a registered apprenticeship program.

• Smithville Workforce Training Center: $350,000 for year one of the Auto Works Technician Program in Rural Texas project in Bastrop, Caldwell, Fayette, and Lee counties. This program provides automotive technician training, expands access to industry-recognized credentials, and creates a pipeline of skilled workers for employers, including automotive dealerships and mechanics.

     The Texas Workforce Investment Council assists the Governor and the legislature with strategic planning for and evaluation of the Texas workforce system to promote the development of a well-educated, highly skilled workforce for Texas. The Council’s appointed members represent workforce system partners and stakeholders, including business and industry, organized labor, education, and community-based organizations. Ex officio members include the Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Education Agency, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the Governor’s Economic Development and Tourism Office. The more than $7 million in Texas Talent Connection grants awarded this year by Governor Abbott are Wagner-Peyser 7(b) grant funds allocated to the Office of the Governor by the U.S. Department of Labor to encourage innovation in workforce training and job placement services.

     Read more about the Texas Talent Connection grant program at: https://gov.texas.gov/organization/twic/wagner_peyser_7b_program