Texas is putting serious money into building up the next wave of professional truck drivers. The state has announced $14 million in new workforce training grants, including funding specifically to train 145 new heavy-duty truck drivers through colleges in Dallas and Laredo.
Governor Greg Abbott says the investment is part of a long-term plan to keep Texas’s economy strong while creating better-paying jobs for skilled workers.
“I thank the Texas Workforce Commission and our education partners for training the next generation of hardworking Texans to be part of the better job and bigger paycheck opportunities that we provide in our great state,” Abbott said. “As our economy grows, Texas will continue to invest in the future of our workforce.”
A Big Boost for Trucking Schools
Out of the total $14 million in grants, two major awards totaling $273,433 will fund CDL training for new truck drivers.
• Dallas College will receive $164,350 to train 65 students.
• Laredo College will receive $109,083 to train 80 students.
At Laredo College, the Transportation Training Center is already gearing up for recruits. Its location near the Port of Laredo, one of the busiest land ports in North America, gives graduates immediate access to job opportunities in cross-border freight and logistics. Every day, about 14,000 commercial trucks pass through the Laredo border, and local employers are always looking for new drivers.
Texas: A Leader in Trucking Employment
Texas has long been a powerhouse in the trucking world. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2023), the state leads the nation in heavy-duty truck driver employment with 212,770 drivers earning an average annual wage of $54,550.
Two Texas metro areas also rank among the top five in the U.S. for the highest number of heavy-duty truck drivers:
• Dallas Fort Worth Arlington: 47,590 drivers (3rd place nationwide)
• Houston, The Woodlands, Sugar Land: 47,490 drivers (5th place nationwide)
For anyone looking to start a trucking career, those stats show just how much opportunity there is within the state’s borders.
Building Stronger Career Pathways
The training money comes from the Jobs & Education for Texans (JET) program, a long-running state effort that helps schools develop hands-on career training for high-demand industries.
While a portion of the funding focuses on CDL programs, other grants will go toward automotive technician training. For example:
• Austin Community College received $331,387 to train 50 students.
• South Texas Independent School District in Mercedes received $304,864 to train 12 students.
• Mineola ISD, east of Dallas, received $274,989 to train 165 students.
The JET grants cover the costs of equipment, classroom upgrades, and training materials, ensuring students are learning on modern rigs and tools that reflect what they’ll use on the job.
A Push for Skilled, Job-Ready Texans
“Through initiatives like the JET grant program, we are preparing our workforce to pioneer innovations and thrive on the cutting edge of industry,” said Joe Esparza, chairman of the Texas Workforce Commission. “These grants strategically target high-growth industries, ensuring workers can find meaningful career opportunities while strengthening Texas’s reputation as the best state for doing business.”
For current and aspiring truck drivers, this is a clear sign that Texas is betting big on trucking, not just to fill jobs but to fuel the state’s economy for years to come.
Source: Transport Topics
