Midland College Awarded $319,043 Grant to Expand Automotive Technician TrainingOctober 13, 2026

Midland College (MC) has been awarded a $319,043 Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to strengthen its Automotive Technology program and support training for 420 students pursuing careers as automotive service technicians and mechanics. 

The grant will fund advanced instructional equipment to enhance hands-on learning and expand training opportunities in hybrid and electric vehicle technologies. The investment will help students develop the technical knowledge and practical skills needed to succeed in an automotive industry increasingly shaped by emerging vehicle systems and alternative powertrains.

“We’ve made expanding our career and technical education programs a priority because these programs create opportunities for students while meeting critical workforce needs in our region," said Dr. Damon Kennedy, president of Midland College. "This grant helps us continue that work, giving more students the opportunity to prepare for high-demand careers right here in the Permian Basin."

The award is part of more than $20 million in JET grants recently announced by Governor Greg Abbott to expand career and technical education opportunities across Texas. “Students deserve a clear and affordable path to high-paying careers,” Abbott said in announcing the awards. 

Administered by the Texas Workforce Commission, the JET Grant Program helps Texas educational institutions purchase equipment to establish or expand career and technical education programs that prepare students for high-demand occupations.

MC’s Automotive Technology program is an ASE Education Foundation accredited program that prepares students for careers in automotive maintenance, diagnostics, and repair through a combination of classroom instruction and practical experience. Access to current, industry-relevant equipment is essential to preparing graduates for the technical demands of today's automotive service industry.

"Automotive technology continues to advance, and our students need experience with the equipment and systems they'll encounter in the service facilities of the future," said Pete Avalos, Dean of Applied Technology at Midland College. "This grant will strengthen our ability to provide world-class technical training, particularly in hybrid and electric vehicle technologies. By investing in industry-relevant equipment, we are better preparing our students to enter the workforce with the skills employers need and the foundation to adapt as the industry continues to evolve."

West Texas has long been shaped by people who know how to work hard and get things done. Midland College plays an important role in carrying that tradition forward, preparing the next generation of skilled workers who will help keep our region strong.