Skills for Small Business
Through the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Skills for Small Business program, up to $2 million from the Skills Development Fund is dedicated to the backbone of Texas’s business community – our more than 433,000 small employers. Small businesses can now apply to TWC for training offered by their local community or technical college, or the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX). TWC processes the applications and works with the college to fund the specific courses selected by businesses for their employees.
This exceptional opportunity supports businesses with fewer than 100 employees.
Skills for Small Business program emphasizes training newly hired employees, those who have been hired by the business up to twelve months prior to the date that TWC receives an application, though it also may help upgrade the skills of incumbent workers.d employees, those who have been hired by the business up to twelve months prior to the date that TWC receives an application, though it also may help upgrade the skills of incumbent workers.
About the Program
| This program emphasizes new and incumbent employees for small businesses. |
| The program funds $2000 per new employee and $1000 per incumbent employee. |
| Funding for training is for full-time employees. |
| All training must be provided by a public community or technical college, or the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX). No third-party vendor training is allowed. |
| Training must be selected from active course catalogs/schedules – credit, continuing education, on-line or other available unpublished courses. |
| Employers must pay the prevailing wages in the local labor market for the trainees funded under the grant. |
Application Process for Businesses
| BSU staff will assist you to: |
| • Identify new or incumbent employees to be trained. |
| • Identify each employee’s job/occupation title and corresponding Standard Occupational Classification Code (SOC). |
| • Identify employee’s wages. Wages must meet prevailing wage for the Texas Panhandle area. |
| • Identify the 2-year Public Community or Technical College nearest your business’ location. |
| • Select training course(s) from the regular credit, continuing education and/or on-line course catalogs. |
| • Complete and submit application directly to TWC. |
Resources
Skills Development Fund
The Skills Development Fund (SDF), administered by the Texas Workforce Commission, provides funding to help employers in the 26-county Texas Panhandle Workforce Development Area create customized job training for their employees. This program enhances workforce skills, supports business growth, and increases wages. The grant covers training costs, helping businesses create new jobs and strengthen the skills of their current workforce.
Key features of the SDF program include:
- Single-business projects can be up to $500,000
- Cost per trainee target of $2,000
- Customized training to fit business needs
- Training for full-time employees
- 12-month grant term
Applying for an SDF Grant:
Workforce Solutions Panhandle’s Business Services Unit (BSU) assists employers, business consortiums, and trade unions in connecting with local training providers and navigating the application process.
BSU staff work with employers to identify specific training needs and partner with a public community or technical college, or the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX). The college partner collaborates with the employer to develop a proposal, design a curriculum, and deliver the training.
For more information about the Skills Development Fund and how it can support your business, contact Workforce Solutions Panhandle’s Business Services Unit.
SDF Resources
Contact Our Staff
Sarah Barnes
Phillip Flores
