$250,000 TWC grant for LIT will help Texas businesses

12/4/2020

BEAUMONT –Southeast Texas businesses will be able to retrain employees who were adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic at Lamar Institute of Technology, thanks to a $250,000 grant from Texas Workforce Commission’s (TWC) Skills Development Fund (SDF). The grant, effective December 4, 2020, provides customized training opportunities in high-demand industries.

TWC’s aim is to increase skill levels and wages for the state’s workforce, according to the commission’s website. Funding will help business owners who are “retooling processes to respond to the need for COVID-related necessities,” due to closures and business shutdowns, TWC said.

Any size Southeast Texas business can take advantage of this allocation, according to Dr. Byron Prince, LIT’s Manager of Corporate Partnerships in the college’s Workforce Education Department. He said employers will be awarded $2,000 per employee, which will cover training costs at LIT for those who are full-time, part-time (because of COVID-reduced hours) and furloughed or laid-off employees. There is no limit on third-party trainers.

LIT President Dr. Lonnie L. Howard said, “It is truly an honor to play an active role in helping stimulate the economy in Southeast Texas through education and re-training at LIT. TWC’s continued partnership with businesses and the Institute reinforces our mantra that the ‘The American Dream’ is alive and well at LIT.”

Since its inception in 1996, Skills Development Fund grants have created or upgraded more than 342,428 jobs throughout Texas. The grants have assisted 4,238 employers with their customized training needs.

For more information about how local businesses can access funding, those interested should contact Dr. Prince at bjprince@lit.edu or call 409-951-5715.