AUSTIN — The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) announced a $100,000 grant award to give students at the University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA) workforce training. The grant comes from the TDA's Parallel Pathways to Success Pilot Grant Program, an initiative designed to match the growing demand for skilled workers in rural Texas.

This award will go directly to UTPA's START project, a program offering 60 top students from the region an opportunity to receive workforce training. Students in the START project also earn college credit hours while in high school.

State Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa expressed his full support for this award. UTPA is one of only five institutions receiving funding through the Parallel Pathways to Success program.

"This program targets a specific need for a skilled workforce in South Texas. This grant allows students to chance to acquire relevant workforce skills that they might not otherwise be able to attain," said Hinojosa.

UTPA is expected to receive the award quickly to begin reaching out to eligible students. This award follows a legislative session wherein Senator Hinojosa championed several agricultural projects. Citrus growers received added resources through bills passed by Senator Hinojosa to defend against citrus greening, a growing problem in Florida.

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