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Houston City College, Tesla Share $1.56M in Job Training Grants

Published October 30, 2026 at 6:13 am | By Ben Lang, Staff Reporter

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HOUSTON, Texas — Houston City College will run job training for hundreds of workers at Tesla and three other employers under a set of state Skills Development Fund grants presented Thursday at the college in Houston.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced four grants worth $1,726,092 in all, with the Texas Workforce Commission overseeing the money. Three of them, totaling $1,557,005, go to Houston City College and its employer partners. The fourth, worth $169,087 and presented in McAllen, sends Workforce Solutions Lower Rio Grande Valley money to train 87 workers at four Valley employers. Across both regions the grants will cover 689 new and current workers in fields such as manufacturing, technology and logistics.

The biggest award, $782,998, will train 261 Tesla workers for jobs such as maintenance and process technician and welder. A $690,044 grant covers 300 workers at Texas Tissue Converting and Karsten Management, the largest head count of the four, for roles ranging from production line work and maintenance to design and frontline supervision. Watchfire Signs will get $83,963 to train 41 people for operations, plant maintenance and production supervisor jobs.

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The college will design each course around what the employer needs on its own floor rather than offering general classes. Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Joe Esparza, who handed out the awards, said tying training to growing industries makes the regional economy stronger. Abbott said the grants will help businesses find qualified workers for careers in high demand.

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Section: More Houston TX business news

Filed under: Houston TX Business News

What's Happening
Who got the grants?
Houston City College and employer partners including Tesla, Texas Tissue Converting, Karsten Management and Watchfire Signs.
How much money?
$1,557,005 for the three Houston grants, part of $1,726,092 statewide.
How many workers?
689 across all four grants, including 261 at Tesla.
Ben Lang
HERE Houston · BUSINESS

Ben is a staff reporter for HERE Houston covering local news, community stories, and developments across Harris County. Ben is committed to accurate, community-first journalism.

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