Workforce awards grants for youth

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has awarded nine grants totaling nearly $2 million for the Texas Youth in Technology Strategic Workforce Development initiative.

Supported with Workforce Investment Act Statewide Activities funds, the program is one of several workforce development strategies to support Gov. Rick Perry's statewide industry cluster initiative.

"The Texas Youth in Technology initiative and grants will help prepare our teens and young adults for future high-tech career opportunities," said TWC Chair Diane Rath. "In support of Gov. Perry's statewide industry cluster initiative, the nine grants will help keep Texas in the forefront of the global economy."

The Texas Youth in Technology initiative and resulting projects will establish programs to increase post-secondary enrollments, retention and graduates in engineering and computer science.

Working with the Texas Engineering and Technical Consortium (TETC), the grant program also will increase collaboration between Texas employers, institutions of higher education, and engineering and science departments.

The grant recipients include; Southern Methodist University, Tarrant County College District, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, The University of Texas at Austin, University of Houston, University of North Texas, and University of Texas at San Antonio.

For details on TWC and the programs it offers in unison with its network of local workforce development boards, call (512) 463-8556 or visit www.texasworkforce.org.