FORT WORTH, Texas — Tarrant County College has received two Skills Development Fund grants totaling $273,910 from the Texas Workforce Commission to provide customized training for 173 employees at North Texas companies.
Announced last week by Gov. Greg Abbott, the grants will support high-demand occupations in blueprint reading, project and inventory management, OSHA compliance and flexographic printing.
“For Texas to remain prosperous, we must make critical investments to our world-class workforce,” Abbott said in announcing the awards. “These workforce grants will help ensure Texans receive a valuable education and prepare them for in-demand careers.”
The awards include $91,453 to train 67 employees at AO Smith Corp. and $182,457 to train 106 employees at DOT IT Restaurant Fulfillment.
“TCC’s approach centers on alignment with workforce demand and real world learning experiences,” Chancellor Elva LeBlanc said. “These grants enable us to improve the skills of working Texans while helping employers meet workforce demands. Through partnerships with industry and the Texas Workforce Commission, we are creating opportunities that benefit individuals, businesses and the North Texas economy.”
Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Joe Esparza presented the awards during a ceremony at TCC’s Opportunity Center.
Esparza: “These Skills Development Fund grants demonstrate how local partners across education and industry can work together to strengthen the North Texas economy. By providing tailored training for more than 170 working Texans, Tarrant County College is helping local businesses enhance their production capabilities and contribute to a stronger Texas.”
The Skills Development Fund is Texas’ premier workforce training grant program. It supports customized training through partnerships with public community and technical colleges, workforce development boards and the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service.
“These grants are another example of how TCC serves as a bridge between education and employment,” Dr. LeBlanc said. “When employers invest in their workforce and TCC helps deliver the training, everyone benefits — employees, businesses and the communities they serve.”
Tarrant County College serves nearly 100,000 students each year, offering accessible, affordable pathways to in-demand careers and university transfer. Across multiple campuses and TCC Connect — a fully online learning option — the College partners with more than 1,200 employers to help build the workforce that drives North Texas forward. Bold Steps. Better Futures.