TWC Offers Funding to Advance Industry-Recognized Apprenticeships

The TIRA grant program highlights TWC’s continued commitment to increasing the number of skilled workers throughout the state.

Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is awarding Texas Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship (TIRA) grants to help Texas employers rapidly develop and deliver short-term apprenticeship training programs. Funding for the initiative was allocated by the Texas Legislature and approved by Governor Greg Abbott to address immediate industrial workforce needs, offset labor shortages, and support economic resilience after natural disasters.

The TIRA grant program highlights TWC’s continued commitment to increasing the number of skilled workers throughout the state. Unlike traditional Registered Apprenticeship programs, which are administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, the TIRA grant program draws on state funding to support short-term (26 weeks or less) earn-while-you-learn training models that meet urgent industry demands. Eligible applicants include Texas employers, trade and industry groups, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and unions. 

TWC will award up to $1 million per grant—with a cap of up to $10,000 per participant (excluding wages and benefits)—to cover training, materials, tools, and credentialing costs. Proposed programs must align with a TWC-recognized occupation, feature progressive wages and benefits at or above median wage levels, and prioritize unemployed Texans (UI claimants), veterans, formerly incarcerated individuals, and underemployed individuals lacking credentials. Programs must combine structured instruction with full-time employment, leading to portable, industry-recognized credentials and a requirement for 12 months of sustained private sector employment post-completion.

To apply, eligible applicants can visit the TWC website to begin their applications. Completed application packages—including a project summary, training plan, partnership documentation, implementation timeline, and budget detail form— must be submitted to apprenticeshipinitiatives@twc.texas.gov. For more information on the application process and program parameters, visit the TWC website or contact the ApprenticeshipTexas team.

TWC will also be hosting the 10th Annual ApprenticeshipTexas Conference at the Hyatt Regency Houston West Hotel on Sept. 24-25, 2026. The conference will empower attendees to start or expand apprenticeship programs that help develop a more skilled workforce. Register for the 2026 ApprenticeshipTexas Conference today.