BEAUMONT, Texas — Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) has been given a grant that will help support workforce development and safety training.
Texas Mutual Insurance Company gave LIT a $100,000 Workforce Grant as a recipient of its 2023 request for proposal initiative, according to an LIT news release.
This grant will create two programs within the school's Workforce Department. It will also support tuition for students who have learned English as a second language.
The school plans on establishing the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) Training Program. This program is designed to give students the knowledge and skills necessary to become AEMTs and prepare them for the national exam, according to the release.
Another program will be developed to offer small insurance agencies in the area continuing education for aspiring insurance agents to prepare students for the Texas General Property and Casualty license exam. the release states.
“We could not have been more thrilled to be chosen for this grant,” said LIT Executive Director of Workforce Ana Pereda. “We expect the programs that are in development to have long term impact and that they will address several needs we discovered when assessing community workforce demands.”
There are 57 recipients, including LIT, throughout Texas who received help from Texas Mutual in their efforts in workforce development and safety training.
"These grants are part of Texas Mutual’s larger commitment of $8 million in grant funding to nonprofit organizations across the state in two categories, generational learning for working families and workforce development and safety training," the release states.
Grant recipients were awarded for their focus on the following:
- Training current and future skilled workforce employees in safe work practices, particularly in industries or occupations at higher risk for workplace accident.
- Creating strong pathways for in-demand, middle-skill jobs.
- Upskilling and reskilling adult learners using earn-and-learn initiatives.
To be eligible for grant funding, organizations were required to be based in Texas, be a 501(c)(3) designated organization and be able to demonstrate they are actively delivering assistance and services to Texas communities in the required areas.
For more information on the LIT Workforce Training and Continuing Education Department you can visit their website.