El Paso Community College got its job training program bolstered with an $81,000 grant from Gov. Greg Abbott for 40 new and current employees.
The Skills Development Fund grant award totaling $81,867 given to EPCC, in partnership with Novipax Buyer LLC, was announced on Thursday, Aug. 6. Novipax Buyer LLC, located in Oak Brook, IL, operates in the plastic containers and packaging industry, specializing in absorbent solutions for food packaging.
"This Skills Development Fund grant will prepare 40 new and current workers for high-demand manufacturing careers," Abbott said. "Texas invests in the skilled workforce our employers need and our people deserve. Partnerships between community colleges and private industry produce the results that expand
opportunity and secure high-wage jobs for Texans across the state."
The fund was designed to help businesses gain training for a company's new or incumbent workforce.
"The collaboration between El Paso Community College and Novipax highlights the power of the Skills Development Fund to bridge the gap between education and industry, ensuring the regional manufacturing workforce is prepared to fill critical in-demand jobs, both now and in the future," Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Joe Esparza said.
To date, the grant program has provided training opportunities for more than 5,000 employers to upgrade or support the creation of more than 446,000 jobs in the state since it started in 1996.
Gina Hinojosa claims Abbott policies hinder skilled workforce
Abbott's challenger in the Texas governor's race, Democrat candidate Gina Hinojosa, has been a sharp critic of Abbott's policies, saying they severely hinder the development of a skilled workforce in the state.
Hinojosa has aligned with labor organizations, such as the Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA), promising to aggressively fight for expanded career-building apprenticeship and job training opportunities across Texas.
She advocates for pairing workforce development with "fair, family-supporting wages and enhanced worksite safety protocols to protect the state’s labor force," her campaign contends.
Hinojosa argues that the current administration has starved essential public services while hoarding $27 billion in taxpayer money inside the state's Economic Stabilization Fund.
Important dates for 2026 Texas election
The last day to register to vote for the General Election is Oct. 5, either online, by mail, or in person.
Early voting starts Oct. 19 and runs through Oct. 30. The absentee ballot request deadline is Oct. 23 for mail requests or Oct. 19 for in-person requests. The absentee ballot return deadline is Nov. 3, by mail or in person on Election Day.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Kristian Jaime is the Top Story Reporter for the El Paso Times and is reachable at Kjaime@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Abbott, Hinojosa focus on job creation, training in Texas governor's race
