Texas Skills Development Fund
Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)
Up to $500,000
Texas-funded customized workforce training for TX employers
Rolling grant program paying for customized job training designed by Texas businesses in partnership with community colleges or TEEX. Businesses identify training needs; the college applies for up to $500K and delivers the curriculum. Funds tuition, curriculum development, instructor fees, and materials — not wages. 12-month contracts. Active year-round.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- $500,000
- Realistic amount
- Most projects $50K–$300K depending on workforce size and training scope
- Deadline
- Rolling — applications accepted year-round through regional workforce board business liaisons
- Status
- active
- States
- TX
- Payment model
- reimbursement
Who qualifies
- Business must be located in Texas and creating or upskilling Texas-based employees
- Training must be customized to the specific employer's needs — generic coursework not eligible
- Must partner with an eligible applicant: public community/technical college, TEEX, or community-based org partnered with a college
- Business is NOT the direct applicant — the college or TEEX applies on the business's behalf
- Any industry and any business size are eligible; priority goes to high-demand sectors
- Training must be for new hires or existing employees in Texas
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Tuition and instructional fees
- Curriculum development costs
- Instructor and trainer fees
- Training materials and supplies
- Equipment required for training delivery (not production equipment)
Ineligible expenses
- Trainee wages during training
- Drug testing or pre-employment screening
- Most travel costs
- Equipment used primarily for production (not training)
- Generic off-the-shelf coursework not customized to the employer
- Training for non-Texas employees
How to apply
-
1
Contact a TWC regional business liaison
Reach TWC via Skills@twc.texas.gov or through your regional workforce board. Describe your training needs. The liaison will match you with an eligible college partner and walk you through the process.
~2 hrs
-
2
Partner with a community college or TEEX
Work with your assigned college partner to design a customized training curriculum. The college will develop the curriculum to match your specific job requirements, not generic coursework.
~8 hrs
-
3
Co-develop training plan and budget
Business and college jointly complete the SDF funding application and training plan. Business documents its commitment (number of employees to train, job titles, wage levels). College prepares budget covering curriculum, instruction, and materials.
~10 hrs
-
4
College submits application to TWC
The college submits the formal SDF grant application on behalf of the business partnership. TWC reviews for eligibility and customization requirements. Review typically takes 4–8 weeks.
~1 hrs
-
5
Training delivery and contract compliance
Once approved, college delivers training over the 12-month contract term. Business must ensure employees participate as committed. TWC may conduct site visits. College submits performance reports.
~5 hrs
Businesses don't apply — your partner college applies for you. Start by calling your regional workforce board or TWC directly; they will identify which college is best positioned to develop your curriculum.
Deadline & timing
No fixed deadlines. Contact a TWC regional business liaison to start the process. Application is submitted by the partnering college, not the business, after a co-development process. Contracts typically run 12 months.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.