Community colleges in South Texas are getting an early Christmas present. A $1.3 million grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is being directed to the area in hopes that the money will help place low-income students in oilfield jobs. Some of the money will be directed toward medical occupations as well.

The Eagle Ford Job market has left South Texas with a shortage of qualified labor. Companies are in need of welders, commercial truck drivers, qualified operators, and even engineers.

The program is ear marked for as many as 1,200 students who have basic skills. Many of the grants will be used to help students who didn't complete high school or have limited English speaking ability.

Alamo College will facilitate the grant, but money will flow to community colleges in the Coastal Bend, Laredo, SW Texas, and Victoria. Many of the schools can be found on our Eagle Ford Training & Education page.