TWC Apprenticeship Opportunities

TWC Apprenticeship Opportunities – Texas Industry Recognized Apprenticeship (TIRA) Grant Program and Other Apprenticeship Initiatives

As the Round Rock and Texas economy continues to expand and diversify, workforce tools are becoming increasingly more important to meet the needs of employers in the area. Apprenticeships are a great training and development tool that allows an employee to learn in an on-the-job environment while providing the employer the ability to evaluate the employee’s long-term viability to the company. In order to help fill the critical skills gaps in Texas’ expanding economy, TWC has created the new Texas Industry Recognized Apprenticeship (TIRA) grant program.

The TIRA grant program is aimed to address Texas’ immediate industrial workforce needs resulting from the impact of hurricanes, other natural disasters, and overall workforce shortages. This program targets private-sector employers in Texas statewide 25 target occupations to encourage the development of specialized apprenticeships in Texas, resulting in wages equal to or greater than the mid-level status of and attainment of industry credentials in the related occupation. Specific eligibility criteria must be met in the apprenticeship training model and individual awards may not exceed $500,000. The total program was awarded nearly $10 million, but funding will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications by June 1 to ensure funding for the current state fiscal year.

This program created by the funding made available through appropriations from the Texas Legislature adds another great tool for employers to continue to access and build the workforce needed to be successful in Texas. To learn more about this program and other apprenticeship opportunities available through TWC, please visit this link.

If you are interested in learning more and implementing this program or others in Round Rock, please reach out to Zach Scott, Director of Workforce and Industry Development, zscott@roundrockchamber.org, to learn more and discuss.