TX · Customized

Texas Customized Training Grants: A Practical Employer Guide

Texas has two real routes to employer-specific training money. TWC's TIRA grant reimburses short, accelerated apprenticeship-style training, up to $1,000,000 per grantee. Your local Workforce Solutions board can also pay part of customized training under WIOA if you commit to hire the trainee and pay a significant share yourself. The Skills Development Fund is the third route, but its money goes to a college or board that trains your staff.

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State pre-filled: TX
Program type pre-filled: customized_training

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HOW IT WORKS

Four steps, in this order.

1
Pick the route: TIRA grant, WIOA customized training, or Skills Development Fund
2
Get the plan approved before training starts
3
Train, then document hours, credentials and hires
4
Claim reimbursement, or let your college or board partner draw the funds

3 VERIFIED PROGRAMS

Where the Texas money comes from.

Run by Texas Workforce Commission (TIRA, Skills Development Fund) and local Workforce Solutions boards (WIOA customized training). Every figure is from an official page, linked on each card.

Texas Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship (TIRA) Grant Program

Up to $1,000,000 per grantee

OPEN

WHAT YOU GET

Reimbursement for related instruction, on-the-job training, trainer costs, materials and credential exam fees for a short, employer-designed training program.

HOW MUCH

Up to $1,000,000 per grantee, up to $10,000 per participant excluding wages and benefits. 10% cap on administrative costs. 30% held back until credential and 12-month retention are verified.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The grantee (corporation, trade group, nonprofit, school or union), by reimbursement tied to outcomes.

WHO QUALIFIES

Training is 26 weeks or less and leads to an industry-recognized credential
Full-time private-sector job during and after training; wages at or above the occupation median
12 months of retention after training; funds are repaid for trainees who do not meet it
Occupation must be on TWC's recognized list, or you request recognition first

Before you start: Yes. Apply and receive an award before training.

WIOA Customized Training through your local board

You pay a significant share

THROUGH YOUR LOCAL BOARD

WHAT YOU GET

Part of the cost of training designed for your needs, for people you commit to hire on completion.

HOW MUCH

Federal rule: the employer pays a significant cost, set by the local board. Coastal Bend caps its employer contracts at $50,000 per 12 months and averages no more than 50% of wages.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

Generally the employer or its training provider, by reimbursement under a board contract.

WHO QUALIFIES

Training is designed for your special requirements, not a catalog course
You commit to employ the person after successful training
WIOA eligibility applies to formula-funded participants (not dislocated workers) under Coastal Bend policy

Before you start: Yes. A contract and application come first at Coastal Bend.

Skills Development Fund

Up to $500,000 of training

OPEN, ROLLING

WHAT YOU GET

Customized training for your full-time W-2 employees, arranged by a public partner.

HOW MUCH

Up to $500,000 per business (more for a consortium). Average cost per trainee $2,400.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

A community or technical college, TEEX, TEES or a workforce board. The employer gets the training, not cash.

WHO QUALIFIES

A public college, TEEX, TEES or board applies in partnership with the business
Trainees must be full-time, W-2 employees

Before you start: Yes. The partner applies and TWC approves.

LOCAL BOARDS

Same program, different rules by board.

Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend (Corpus Christi)

Customized training contracts are capped at $50,000 per employer in 12 months, and catalog courses do not count as customized.

SOURCE: WORKFORCESOLUTIONSCB.ORG

Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast (Houston)

Offers custom training built with training providers and aligned to employer needs; publishes no rate.

SOURCE: WRKSOLUTIONS.COM

AVOID THESE

What gets Texas Customized claims denied.

Using a training provider's regular catalog course and calling it customized.
SOURCE: WORKFORCESOLUTIONSCB.ORG
No commitment to employ the trainee after training.
SOURCE: ECFR.GOV
TIRA trainees who miss credential or 12-month retention targets: funds must be repaid.
SOURCE: TWC.TEXAS.GOV
Using work-based training money in a labor dispute.
SOURCE: ECFR.GOV

STRAIGHT ANSWERS

Texas Customized questions.

Who gets the TIRA money, and when?

The grantee receives it as reimbursement, tied to verified training, credential and employment outcomes. A 30% holdback is released at closeout.

SOURCE: TWC.TEXAS.GOV

How long can TIRA training run?

26 weeks at most, followed by a 12-month employment retention period. Awards run up to 24 months in total.

SOURCE: TWC.TEXAS.GOV

Is customized training the same as OJT?

No. OJT reimburses wages for a new hire. Customized training pays part of training built for your needs, and you commit to hire and pay a significant share.

SOURCE: ECFR.GOV

Can a single small employer apply for the Skills Development Fund?

Not alone. A public college, TEEX, TEES or workforce board applies with you. Businesses under 100 employees can also look at Skills for Small Business.

SOURCE: TWC.TEXAS.GOV

How we checked. Every fact on this page comes from a state agency, a local workforce board or federal regulation, read on September 30, 2026. Where a board publishes nothing, we say so instead of guessing. Programs and funding change often; confirm with the program before you commit. Written by Jason Meehl, founder of Reimbursa. Found an error? Email hello@reimbursa.com.

OTHER PROGRAMS IN TEXAS

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