ASCEND Grant for Texas Employer Workforce Training

TX TWC News

Published March 31st, 2026

Detected April 1st, 2026

Summary

The Texas Workforce Commission announced the ASCEND grant program, a $5 million fund to help Texas employers train their workforce in high-demand industries. Employers can receive reimbursements up to $500,000 or $4,000 per trainee for approved training projects. The program dedicates $1 million specifically to domestic shipbuilding training. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

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What changed

The Texas Workforce Commission launched the ASCEND (Advancing Skills, Capabilities, and Expertise for New Development) grant program, a $5 million workforce training initiative funded through a U.S. Department of Labor Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund award. Eligible employers must operate in Texas within targeted industries including advanced manufacturing, IT, aerospace/aviation/defense, nuclear energy, AI, semiconductor manufacturing, healthcare, and shipbuilding. Reimbursements are capped at $500,000 per employer or $4,000 per trainee for performance-based training.

Texas employers in qualifying industries should review eligibility requirements and submit applications promptly, as funding is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Training must focus on upskilling current employees or training new hires. Interested parties can apply through the ASCEND homepage or contact their regional business liaison. No fixed application deadline is specified, making early submission advisable to secure funding.

What to do next

Determine if your business operates in a qualifying industry (advanced manufacturing, IT, aerospace/aviation/defense, nuclear energy, AI, semiconductor, healthcare, or shipbuilding)
Review ASCEND eligibility requirements on the TWC website
Submit application early as funding is awarded first-come, first-served

Source document (simplified)

New ASCEND Grant Offers Texas Employers Funding to Train Workforce

Press Releases March 31, 2026 AUSTIN ⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is now accepting applications for the Advancing Skills, Capabilities, and Expertise for New Development (ASCEND) grant program. The grants will help employers address new and evolving skill demands by training their current workforce.

This $5 million grant fund is an investment in the skills of working Texans to ensure the state’s businesses continue to respond to a competitive and thriving Texas economy. The program focuses on strengthening the talent pipeline for high-demand industries including advanced manufacturing, information technology, aerospace/aviation and defense, nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing, healthcare, and shipbuilding. Recognizing the need to revitalize a key industry, ASCEND is dedicating $1 million to support domestic shipbuilding. This funding will focus on training workers in essential skills such as welding, marine electrical engineering, and manufacturing.

Through ASCEND, employers receive customized training that addresses their business needs and conditions. Employers can be reimbursed up to $500,000 or $4,000 per trainee for approved training projects. Reimbursements are performance-based. To qualify, an employer must operate in Texas in one of the targeted industries and commit to upskilling current employees or training new hires. Training workers can improve retention rates and reduce hiring costs.

TWC is here to help employers build skills and transform their workforce. The agency can help candidates navigate the application process. Businesses are encouraged to apply early as complete applications will be reviewed in the order received, and funding will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. The grants are funded through an Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund award Texas received from the U.S. Department of Labor.

For more information on eligibility and to apply, visit the ASCEND homepage or contact ascendquestions@twc.texas.gov. Find your regional business liaison at https://www.twc.texas.gov/sites/default/files/wf/docs/eeco-map-twc.pdf

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Texas Workforce Commission is a state agency dedicated to helping Texas employers, workers, and communities prosper economically. For details on TWC and its services in coordination with its local workforce development boards network, call 800-628-5115 or visit https://twc.texas.gov/. Subscribe to email updates to receive notifications about TWC programs and services.