GAINESVILLE, Texas — North Central Texas College has received $331,656 in state funding to support its registered nursing program, officials announced recently. The grant comes from the Texas Workforce Commission's Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) program, which provides funding to community colleges and school districts for high-demand career and technical education programs. In a related announcement, Forestburg Independent School District received $131,838 in JET grant funding for welding programs conducted in partnership with NCTC in Gainesville. The partnership allows high school students to gain hands-on experience in skilled trades while still completing their secondary education. The nursing program funding will help NCTC expand its capacity to train registered nurses at a time when healthcare facilities across North Texas face significant staffing challenges. The college's nursing program prepares students for careers in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities and other healthcare settings. "These grants support critical workforce needs in our region," said NCTC officials in a statement. The college has a long history of partnering with local healthcare providers to ensure nursing graduates are prepared to enter the workforce immediately upon licensure. The welding program partnership with Forestburg ISD represents the type of collaboration that JET grants are designed to encourage. By allowing high school students to access college-level technical training, the partnership creates a pipeline of skilled workers for manufacturing, construction and other industries that rely on certified welders. North Central Texas College serves students from Cooke, Denton and surrounding counties through its campuses in Gainesville, Denton, Corinth, Flower Mound and online. The college offers associate degrees, technical certificates and workforce training programs aligned with regional employment needs. The JET grant program was created by the Texas Legislature to address workforce shortages in critical industries. Healthcare and skilled trades rank among the state's highest-priority sectors for workforce development funding. According to state workforce data, Texas faces a projected shortage of registered nurses through the next decade as the population ages and healthcare demand increases. Similarly, industries requiring skilled trades workers like welders report difficulty finding qualified candidates. Community colleges play a central role in addressing these workforce gaps by offering affordable, accessible training programs that can be completed in two years or less. NCTC's nursing program requires four semesters of coursework plus clinical rotations at area healthcare facilities. The welding partnership with Forestburg ISD allows students to earn industry certifications before graduating high school, giving them a head start on careers or further education. Students learn cutting, welding and fabrication techniques using equipment provided through the grant funding. North Central Texas College has a history of successful grant awards for workforce programs. The college actively pursues state and federal funding opportunities to expand program capacity and keep tuition costs affordable for students. Application information for NCTC's nursing program and other career and technical education programs is available on the college's website at www.nctc.edu. The college accepts applications year-round, with program start dates varying by field of study.