Texas Workforce Commission gives Lone Star College System nearly $250,000 for automotive equipment

HOUSTON, TX -- Lone Star College-North Harris students enrolled in the Automotive Technology program now have access to state-of-the-art equipment that will take their training to the next level, thanks to a $245,317 grant from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC).

“Lone Star College System’s partnerships with entities like the Texas Workforce Commission allow us to continue offering affordable workforce programs that prepare our students with skills that lead to meaningful employment while also meeting the growing demands of various industries,” said Mario K. Castillo, J.D., LSCS chancellor. “With TWC’s grant, our students will continue to receive hands-on access to the latest technology in the ever-changing automotive industry.”

TWC’s Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant supports career and technical education (CTE) programs and boosts economic development across Texas. At LSC-North Harris, the JET grant funded steering and suspension equipment: a road force tire balancer, a wheel alignment system, a semi-autonomous tire changer and wheel alignment racks.

“Receiving the JET Grant has had a deep and lasting impact on our students,” said Tom Robertson, LSC-North Harris dean of instruction, Career and Applied Technology. “The machines are enhancing students’ technical skills, safety awareness and job readiness. They now have relevant training on cutting-edge equipment that they can expect to use on their first day in the automotive service industry.”

In 2024, along with Lone Star College System, TWC’s JET grant has funded needed equipment at other educational institutions in the greater Houston area, including Alvin Community College, College of the Mainland, Harmony Public Schools, Lee College, Palacios Independent School District, San Jacinto Community College, Shepherd Independent School District, Wharton County Junior College and Windham School District.

“The JET grant is a strategic investment in Texas' workforce, ensuring a steady stream of skilled professionals for high-demand industries,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. “Working with our educational partners, we're building a brighter future for Texas by equipping our residents with the tools they need to succeed in the 21st-century economy.”

The LSCS Automotive Technology program prepares students for the mechanical, electrical, electronic and environmental systems of general automobiles. Learn more at LoneStar.edu/Programs-Of-Study/Auto-Tech-AAS.