Gov. Abbott Announces $3.7 Million in Career and Technical Education Grants for Texas Colleges

AUSTIN, TX — Gov. Greg Abbott announced Tuesday that $3.7 million in Perkins Leadership Grants has been awarded to 13 Texas public two-year colleges to develop and improve career and technical education programs.

The grants will support the development and redesign of training programs for high-demand occupations, recruitment and retention of career and technical education instructors, and prison education programs designed to prepare individuals for reentry into the workforce.

Among the recipients are Western Texas College and Tyler Junior College, which each received $300,000 to support the recruitment and retention of career and technical education instructors.

“Texas’ skilled workforce is critical to our state’s economic success,” Abbott said. “With these grants, community and technical colleges can develop or redesign programs for in-demand occupations and recruit and retain instructors to train the next generation of the workforce.”

The funding is part of the 2026-27 Perkins Leadership Grants cycle, which includes three categories focused on workforce development and education.

Five institutions received funding through the Emerging and Current High-Demand Credentials category.

Lamar Institute of Technology was awarded $254,600, Southwest Texas College received $293,892, Tarrant County College District received $299,929, Texas Southmost College received $298,305, and Texas State Technical College received $278,739.

Six institutions received grants through the Recruitment and Retention of CTE Educators in Postsecondary Education category.

Del Mar College received $206,000, El Paso Community College District was awarded $299,638, Lamar State College-Orange received $297,250, San Jacinto College District received $299,991, and Tyler Junior College and Western Texas College each received $300,000.

Two institutions received funding through the Prison Education — Preparing for Reentry category.

Central Texas College was awarded $300,000, while Lee College received $297,144.

“The Perkins Leadership Grants support our Texas colleges in creating innovative CTE programs that attract and motivate students,” Texas Higher Education Commissioner Wynn Rosser said. “They also help colleges recruit the best CTE instructors, ensuring students get the quality training they need to secure high-skill, high-wage careers that fill critical needs in our economy. This is how we Build a Talent Strong Texas.”

The Perkins Leadership Grants replace the Perkins Field Based Innovation Program and the Perkins Excellence in Access and Opportunity Program, which were phased out Aug. 31, 2026.

According to the governor's office, the updated grant program refocuses funding on current labor market needs to help Texas colleges prepare students for high-skill, high-wage occupations.

Additional information about the grants is available through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.