AUSTIN — The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) awarded Workforce Solutions Coastal Bend $197,157 to help expand paid internship opportunities.
TWC says the money will be used to place 24 P-TECH Academy graduates from rural and urban districts in STEM and healthcare internships.
The Texas Internship Initiative (TII) grant program focuses on STEM-based occupations and aims to bridge workforce gaps in careers such as health care, advanced manufacturing, information technology and education.
The program was launched in 2019 and expanded in 2025. Eligible programs in 2026 will include education service centers.
Workforce Solutions partners in Cameron, Greater Dallas, West Central Texas, Borderplex, Central Texas and Heart of Texas, along with the Houston-Galveston Area Council, also received grants, bringing total funding to $1.3 million.
“The Texas Workforce Commission is committed to not only developing a world-class talent pipeline but also bridging the gap between education and economic development,” TWC Chairman Joe Esparza said. “The Texas Internship Initiative ensures employers have the resources they need to host interns, creating valuable work-based learning opportunities that help students succeed in the workforce.”
In April, TWC relaunched the Texas Intern Network, a portal where Texans can search and apply for internships statewide. The agency says it’s a one-stop shop for internships.
The improved website along with the grants are all a part of the TWC’s goal of connecting students with Texas employers to build a skilled future workforce.