Four Coastal Bend ISDs receive nearly $680K in JET grants combined and partner with Del Mar College to train students for high-demand jobs in region

More than 240 students with Agua Dulce, Benavides, Freer and Santa Gertrudis independent school districts to benefit from state’s Jobs and Education for Texans program with DMC training focused on careers in oil and gas, utility and healthcare industries

Article by: Richard Guerrero, Jr.

Recently, the Texas Governor’s Office announced that the Texas Workforce Commission awarded Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants across the state. Four Coastal Bend independent school districts––Agua Dulce, Benavides, Freer and Santa Gertrudis––are among the recipients, receiving a combined total of $676,092 to purchase equipment and train their students for high-demand jobs in the region.

For Del Mar College, the JET grant awards mean partnering with the four ISDs to provide training through its Continuing Education and academic programs, with each high school receiving the specific instruction it requires, including process technology-related, electrician, nursing and medical assisting training.

Career training by the College will serve 244 high school students overall. DMC programs providing the training to these students include several high-demand occupational programs.

“The JET grants awarded will be used to expand healthcare programs, such as the Del Mar College high school to nursing pathway programs, Medical Assisting program, Surgical Technology program and other in-demand allied healthcare programs,” Rivera says.

The breakdown for the 2026 JET grants awarded to the four ISDs includes:

• Agua Dulce ISD: $195,823 to train 20 petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators and gaugers
• Benavides ISD: $155,056 to train 23 electricians
• Freer ISD: $237,077 to train 175 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
• Santa Gertrudis ISD: $88,136 to train 26 medical assistants

Del Mar College has received the commission’s JET grant in the past and most recently hosted a check presentation ceremony in May to celebrate the progress made by area 2025 recipients since receiving the funds. Those recipients included Del Mar College and Freer ISD. (Access the June 3, 2026 online release.)

Rivera says, “Del Mar College plans to partner with school districts that received JET grants on expanding career and technical education programs, such as Air Conditioning, Electrical, Building Maintenance and other in-demand technical programs. All programs of study are designed and developed with industry leaders to ensure students are workforce ready and employable once they complete their respective programs.”

“All programs offered are stackable toward earning occupational skills awards, certificates and associate and bachelor’s degrees from Del Mar College,” he adds.
 

About Del Mar College Training Programs

Del Mar College prepares students for high-demand careers through workforce-focused degree and certificate programs developed to meet the needs of Coastal Bend employers. Programs related to the training highlighted in this release include Process Technology, Electrician, Medical Assisting, Surgical Technology, Air Conditioning Applied Technology (ACAT) and Building Maintenance Applied Technology (BMAT). For the 2024-2025 academic year, approximately 69 Process Technology students, 33. Electrician students, 13 Medical Assisting students, 13 Surgical Technology students, 48 ACAT students and 11 BMAT students graduated from DMC, entering high-demand fields. Students can choose from more than 100 degree and certificate options across eight pathways, with opportunities designed for students seeking to enter the workforce or continue their education. Learn more about Del Mar College programs at delmar.edu/degrees.