$300K TJC grant for vet tech program

TYLER – After receiving a grant worth over $300,000 from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) in the 2025 cycle. According to our news partner KETK, the TWC presented TJC staff and state and local officials with the $325,293 grant in a ceremony on Friday. The funding will support students training to be veterinary technologists and technicians and the purchase of medical training equipment for the program.

“These grants will provide students in East Texas the real-world training and technical education they need to have a successful career,” Gov. Greg Abbott said. “The future of our state is in good hands because of the education we are providing to young Texans today.”

With the help of the grant, TJC continues to show its commitment to workforce education and meet the needs of the high-demand careers in the region, such as animal health care.

“This investment allows TJC to provide students with advanced training that prepares them for meaningful careers in the field of animal healthcare, in this case, our veterinary technicians,” Dr. Juan E. Mejia, TJC’s president and CEO, said. “We are grateful to the Texas Workforce Commission and the state of Texas for supporting programs that strengthen the East Texas workforce and create gainful employment opportunities for our graduates.”

Additionally, the ceremony recognized several East Texas high schools that received grants through their partnership with TJC to train students in several fields. The following schools were recognized with JET grants. Hawkins ISD, Mineola ISD, Central Heights ISD, Frankston ISD, Kemp ISD, Kilgore College, Martinsville ISD and Northeast Texas Community College.