The Laredo Independent School District was named a recipient of the Texas Workforce Solutions Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) Grant during the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Grant Presentation Ceremony held at Cigarroa High School. The check presentation was made by TWC Commissioner of Labor Julian Alvarez III.

The $332,500 grant was awarded to the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department at Cigarroa High School. The funds were used to help purchase and install equipment to be able to prepare students to obtain certification in the health science field.

The JET Program provides funding for equipment to eligible educational institutions for the purpose of developing career and technical education (CTE) courses and may include courses that lead to a license, certificate, or post-secondary degree in a high-demand occupation.

“The partnership between LISD and TWC has been crucial towards creating a strong career-ready workforce that ensures the success of our community,” said Roger Garcia LISD Executive Director of College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR), Advanced Academics and Schools of Innovation. “Thanks to TWC we have been able to create valuable career-ready opportunities for our students.”

The funds were utilized by the Cigarroa CTE Department to purchase equipment for instruction and preparation for students who are training for careers in the health profession. The grant monies were spent on purchasing equipment such as ergonomic touch screen medical beds, EKG equipment with cart and accessories, patient simulator mannequins (adult/child), and anatomage 3-D dissecting tables and accessories.

"Dr. Leonides G. Cigarroa High School feels grateful for the support that the Texas Workforce Commission has given us through the JET Grant,” said Jose Iznaola, Cigarroa High School Principal. “With these funds, our health programs will continue to deliver relevant instruction using state-of-the-art equipment and help our students join the work force better prepared."

Laredo ISD partnered with South Texas Training Center to prepare students to obtain certifications including Certified EKG/ECG Technician, Phlebotomy Technician, and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), and Patient Care Technicians. These are professions recognized as in-demand for the local economy.

Laredo Independent School District

LISD named recipient of $332,500 TWC-JET Grant