Training Grants

Interested in participating in a training grant? Reach out to us to see how we can best assist you.

Below are details on various training grants available:

Skills Development Fund (SDF) grants are available to businesses with over 100 employees to cover their company's training needs. The SDF grant targets businesses that require technical and soft skills training. Multiple companies in the same industry can apply together as a consortium with separate training budgets. Here are some quick FAQ’s about SDF grants:

Targeted to businesses without a restriction on the number employees
Grants are 12 to 18 months in length from award date
Both technical and non-technical training can be included in the grant
Only full-time employees are eligible to receive training
Training funding is limited to $2,000 per employee. An employee may take multiple courses that total no more than $2,000
Training can be facilitated by CATA at South Texas College
Training will be customized to meet the specific needs of the client
Training budget is limited to $500,000

Skills for Small Business (SSB) grants are also available to smaller businesses to cover their training needs as well. SSB grants are targeted to businesses that employ less than 100 full-time employees. Here are some quick FAQ’s about SB grants:

Targeted to businesses with under 100 employees
Grants are 1-year in length from award date
Both technical and non-technical training can be included in the grant
Only full-time employees are eligible to receive training
Training funding is limited to $1,800 per employee. An employee may take multiple courses that total no more than $1,800
All training must be provided by CATA at South Texas College
Training must be selected from active course catalogs/schedules — credit, continuing education, on-line or other available unpublished courses

Development Corporation of McAllen Incorporated (DCMI) grant offers an opportunity for McAllen-based businesses operating in industries such as manufacturing, construction and materials, energy, logistics/freight, warehousing, food and beverage, automotive, metalworking, electronics, and packaging to enhance the skills of their workforce.

Targeted towards businesses located in the McAllen area.
Both new and incumbent workers must be employed at the time of training.
Both full-time and part-time employees are eligible to receive training.
Training funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Training must be selected from the active course catalogs/schedules provided through CATA.

Economic Development Corporation of Weslaco (EDCW) grant offers training programs in manufacturing and other pertinent workforce training areas to equip employees with the skills desired by firms conducting business, or intending to do so, in the City of Weslaco.

Businesses can access up to $7,500 to train their workforce.
Both full-time and part-time employees are eligible for training.
Independently-owned retail and service businesses, as well as small businesses, are encouraged to apply.
Funding is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
EDCW retains the final decision-making authority to approve any training programs.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Susan Harwood Training Grant offers training and educational initiatives designed for both employers and workers, focusing on the recognition, avoidance, and prevention of safety and health hazards within their workplaces. Its aim is to educate workers about their rights and employers about their responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act.

Training Topic: Personal Protective Equipment
Available in both English and Spanish
Training session lasts for three (3) hours
Target Audience: Disadvantaged/underserved workers and employers in high-hazard industries, sectors with elevated fatality rates, and small businesses (employing fewer than 250 employees). It's particularly geared towards workers who face barriers to accessing occupational safety and health training, such as young individuals (ages 16-24), minority groups, those with low literacy levels, limited-English proficiency, and low-income workers.

Texas Mutual Insurance Company grant is dedicated to supporting the well-being of hardworking Texans. This commitment is demonstrated daily through initiatives aimed at safeguarding businesses, fostering safe working environments, and ensuring that Texas workers return home safely to their families. The primary focus of the grant revolves around workforce development and safety training.

Providing training for both current and future skilled workers in safe work practices, with a particular emphasis on industries or occupations that are prone to higher risks of workplace accidents.
- Targeted Audience:
  - Unemployed or underemployed adults in need of upskilling or reskilling.
  - Workers more at risk for injury or death on the job.
  - Workers who have been injured on the job.
Course offerings include OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 General Industry certifications.

The Texas Talent Connection Grant Program, initiated by Governor Abbott, aims to create an environment conducive to entrepreneurship, innovation, growth, and prosperity for working Texans. The program focuses on the following key objectives:

Workforce Training and Job Placement:
- Supports outstanding workforce training projects that result in job placement, higher wages, and job retention.
Innovative Workforce Services:
- Promotes the efficient and innovative delivery of workforce services.
Special Needs Populations:
- Provides targeted assistance to groups of workers who are traditionally underrepresented in specific occupations.

The program is funded through Wagner-Peyser 7(b) federal funds, which are allocated to each State Office of the Governor annually on July 1. These funds are designated for grants supporting workforce training and job placement services. The overarching goal is to enhance workforce development through innovative approaches and exemplary projects that address the needs of underrepresented groups, leading to a more inclusive and prosperous workforce.