La Joya ISD Awarded $353,686 State Grant to Expand HVAC Career Training Opportunities for Students
La Joya, TX - A major investment in career and technical education is opening new doors for La Joya ISD students, providing opportunities to develop specialized skills, explore high-demand careers and prepare for success in the workforce.
La Joya ISD has been awarded a $353,686 Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant through the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), as announced by Governor Greg Abbott. The funding will support an HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) training program at La Joya High School, providing career training opportunities for students in partnership with South Texas College (STC). The investment will strengthen the District's efforts to connect classroom learning with real-world career opportunities.
"This grant marks an exciting milestone for La Joya ISD as we introduce our HVAC training program, creating new opportunities for our students and making a meaningful investment in their futures," said Melinda Flores, Executive Director of College & Career Success for La Joya ISD. "Through our partnership with South Texas College, we are expanding career pathways and providing students with opportunities to gain valuable technical skills, explore high-demand careers and build a strong foundation for success beyond high school.”
The award places La Joya ISD among 84 grant recipients statewide selected to receive a combined investment of more than $20 million in career and technical education. According to the Governor's Office, the funding will help prepare more than 7,400 students across Texas for high-demand, high-wage occupations during the first year of equipment use.
Funded by the Texas Legislature and administered by the TWC, the JET grant program represents an important step toward expanding access to industry-relevant training and creating additional pathways for students interested in entering the skilled trades. For La Joya ISD, the grant will enhance training opportunities, allowing students to develop practical knowledge and technical competencies relevant to careers in HVAC.
"Career and technical education is about giving students the opportunity to discover what they are capable of and develop skills they can put to work," said Pablo De Leon, CTE Director for La Joya ISD. "This investment will help us strengthen hands-on learning opportunities in HVAC, a specialized trade that requires technical knowledge, problem-solving and practical experience. By working alongside South Texas College, we can better prepare our students to take meaningful steps toward their career goals."
As the District continues implementing its Achieving Excellence Together: 2030 Strategic Plan, expanding career pathways and strengthening postsecondary partnerships remain important components of its commitment to developing priority two of the strategic plan: Empowered Graduates.
With this new investment, La Joya ISD continues building opportunities that extend beyond the classroom, helping students gain the knowledge, confidence and skills to pursue successful futures while contributing to the region's growing workforce.