Tyler ISD has been awarded a $186,830 Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant to purchase equipment for its new Electrical Technology program, which launched during the 2026-2027 school year. Offered through the district’s Career & Technology Center, the program introduces students to the electrical trades and creates another pathway to careers in a high-demand field.
“Adding Electrical Technology gives our students another opportunity to discover their interests and turn those interests into a future,” Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford said. “This grant will help put the equipment they need into their hands, connecting what they learn in the classroom with skills they can build a career around. It is an investment in our students and in the workforce that will support our community for years to come.”
Awarded by the Texas Workforce Commission, the grant will help equip the new program, which currently has more than 100 students enrolled in its first year. Tyler ISD is partnering with Tyler Junior College to connect high school instruction with opportunities for continued education in electrical technology.
The new program expands students’ options for exploring skilled trades while still in high school. It is designed to prepare them for employment and further training, with instruction that supports progression toward industry credentials and post-secondary education.
The partnership also includes a pathway for juniors and seniors to attend half-day instruction at TJC West and complete coursework toward an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electrical/Electronic Controls Technology. This option allows students to earn college credit while still in high school, giving them a head start on their technical education.
“Students need opportunities to practice with the equipment and apply the concepts they are learning,” said Jarrod Bitter, Executive Director of College and Career. “This funding will help us build that experience into our new electrical technology program, so students can develop their skills, explore the trade, and see where this career pathway could take them.”
Tyler ISD’s award is part of more than $20 million in 2026 JET grants awarded to 84 recipients statewide. The grants support equipment purchases for career and technical education programs that prepare students for high-demand occupations.
As the Electrical Technology program grows, Tyler ISD will continue working with TJC to connect students with training that supports their goals and helps meet East Texas workforce needs.
For more information, contact Jennifer Hines at Jennifer.Hines@TylerISD.org.