Texas Workforce Commission approves FY2026 Chapter 133 apprenticeship planning estimates; staff to pursue federal data grant

The Texas Workforce Commission approved fiscal year 2026 planning estimates and program parameters for apprenticeship and pre‑apprenticeship training under Texas Education Code Chapter 133 and authorized staff to publish notice of funding availability, commissioners said during the meeting.

Carrie Ballast, Workforce Development Division, presented the proposal, saying, “For your consideration today are the fiscal year 2026 planning estimates for the Texas Education Code Chapter 133, apprenticeship and pre‑apprenticeship training programs.” She told commissioners the recommended funding amounts and notes about general revenue were included in the notebook materials provided to the commission.

The commission’s action follows requirements in TAC rule 8.8.37.21 that staff provide public notice of funding availability for Chapter 133 programs if the commission approves the planning estimates. A commissioner moved that the panel approve the FY2026 Chapter 133 planning estimates, program parameters and funding planning estimates “as described in the discussion paper and presented today by staff,” the motion language recorded in the transcript. The motion was seconded and the chair announced the motion carried.

Why it matters: Chapter 133 funding supports registered apprenticeship and pre‑apprenticeship programs that help employers train workers and help students and job seekers earn industry‑recognized credentials. Commission approval authorizes staff to proceed with required public notices and program administration steps before grants are awarded to program operators.

Staff also raised a separate federal grant opportunity in the meeting’s executive‑director report. An executive‑level staff member reported that the U.S. Department of Labor had posted a Workforce Data Quality Initiative grant opportunity that will award about five grants, each roughly $2,500,000. The executive‑level speaker said the commission intends to submit an application to support improvements to data availability, upgrades to labor market information tools and enhancements to the state longitudinal data system, and that applications were due May 27. The executive‑level staff member said the commission would proceed with the application unless a commissioner objected.

Details and follow-up: The transcript notes that the recommended FY2026 funding amounts and any general‑revenue components are listed in the commission’s notebook materials; those dollar amounts were not read into the record and are therefore not specified in the transcript. The Department of Labor grant opportunity was described as awarding five grants at about $2,500,000 each; submission of an application by commission staff was presented as the intended course of action pending no objection from commissioners.

The commission took no additional substantive amendments at the meeting and moved on to other business after the vote.