February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, and I want to highlight the value of CTE programs across the state and the achievements of students who pursue high-skill technical careers.
Texas continues to attract employers in aerospace, manufacturing, life sciences, and other advanced technology industries, and they will need workers with strong technical and soft skills to fill new jobs. TWC is dedicated to helping Texas employers train and up-skill our new and emerging workforce.
TWC supports CTE programs through various initiatives like the Dual Credit Program and the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant program. Funded through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) grant program, dual credit allows high school students to attend college-level classes that address the needs of local industries. The JET grant program helps schools create and expand training programs for in-demand jobs. These two grant programs have supported the creation of more than 430,000 jobs across Texas and equipped more than 50,000 students with the skills to succeed in these fields.
In our state we have elected leadership who understand that investing in the workforce of the future is an investment in the prosperity of Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott directed at his State of the State Address on Feb. 2, 2025, that expanding career training is an emergency item for the 89th Legislative Session.
I look forward to supporting employers and students in this initiative in 2025.
Editor’s Note: The above guest column was penned by Joe Esparza, the commissioner representing employers on the Texas Workforce Commission board. The column first appeared in the Texas Business Today newsletter, which is distributed each month and published on TWC’s website. Click here to view the website.
Joe Esparza currently serves as the Commissioner Representing Employers for the Texas Workforce Commission. Governor Abbott appointed him to the three-member commission on November 7, 2023.
In his role, Commissioner Esparza serves as an advocate for over 660,000 Texas employers and over 3 million small businesses. He and his team serve as a key resource for all Texas employers to help businesses grow and thrive in Texas.
Prior to his appointment, Commissioner Esparza was sworn in as Texas Deputy Secretary of State on December 14, 2018. In addition, Esparza previously served as a Senior Appointments Manager in the office of the Governor, overseeing numerous gubernatorial appointments during Governor Abbott's first term.
A graduate of Texas Tech University, Esparza earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Communications. Esparza received an Honorable Discharge from the United States Marine Corps and is a Veteran of the Global War on Terrorism, having served in Iraq.
