Healthcare Training in Texas: TWC Programs That Pay

Why Now Is the Best Time to Enter Texas Healthcare
Texas added 391,243 new residents in 2025 alone — more than any other state — bringing the total population to 31.7 million. The 65-and-older cohort, which drives the most intensive healthcare demand, is expanding at 3.8% annually and is projected to reach 6.8 million by 2040. At the same time, 15.1% of Texas RNs are between ages 56 and 65, and over 31% of nursing faculty are over 56 — meaning the pipeline cannot keep pace with retirements. Texas nursing schools turned away 15,709 qualified applicants in 2021 simply because they lacked faculty and clinical placement slots.
The result: hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities across the state are competing aggressively for trained workers. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) confirms that supply meets only 88% of demand. For anyone willing to complete a training program, jobs are waiting — particularly in the Rio Grande Valley (545.9 RNs per 100,000 residents, the lowest ratio in the state), West Texas, and the rapidly growing Central Texas corridor.
TWC-Funded Healthcare Training Programs
Program What It Covers Who Can Apply
Skills Development
Fund Up to $500K per business for
customized training. Covers CNA,
LVN, RN bridge, medical assistant,
phlebotomy, surgical tech,
pharmacy tech, medical coding,
EHR/health IT, home health aide,
dental assistant training. Healthcare employers in
partnership with a
Texas community college.
Training at no cost to
the employer or trainee.
Jobs & Education
for Texans (JET) Equipment grants for career &
technical education programs.
In 2025, Governor Abbott
announced $14M+ in JET grants
to 52 institutions. Public community/
technical colleges and
independent school
districts in Texas.
Self-Sufficiency
Fund Training for low-income workers
entering healthcare. Covers
tuition, books, childcare,
transportation assistance. Individuals receiving
SNAP, TANF, or at or
below 200% of federal
poverty level.
Skills for Small
Business Covers training costs through
existing community college
course catalogs. Texas businesses with
fewer than 100
employees.
Registered
Apprenticeships Paid on-the-job training combined
with classroom instruction.
Earn while you learn. Healthcare employers
plus individual
apprentices. TWC
provides funding support.

Healthcare Careers You Can Train For in 2026
The following roles are in high demand across Texas and are eligible for TWC-funded training through the Skills Development Fund or partner programs:
Role Training Duration Texas Avg. Salary Demand Status
CNA (Certified
Nursing Assistant) 4-12 weeks $33,000-$38,000 Very High — entry point
for hospital & LTC jobs
LVN (Licensed
Vocational Nurse) 12-18 months $48,000-$55,000 High — LVN-to-RN bridge
programs widely funded
RN (Registered Nurse) 2-4 years (ADN/BSN) $75,000-$88,000 Critical — 8,575 vacancies
in Texas hospitals alone
Medical Assistant 9-12 months $35,000-$42,000 High — physician groups
and clinics hiring statewide
Phlebotomy Tech 4-8 weeks $32,000-$38,000 High — diagnostic labs
and hospitals expanding
Medical Coder/
Biller 6-12 months (online
options available) $45,000-$55,000 High — remote positions
increasingly common
Surgical Tech 12-24 months $52,000-$62,000 Very High — operating
room staffing shortage
Pharmacy Tech 6-12 months $36,000-$42,000 Moderate-High — retail
and hospital settings

Salary ranges based on Texas Workforce Commission and Bureau of Labor Statistics 2026 data. Actual pay varies by region: RNs in Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston (employing 65,000-73,000 RNs each) typically earn at the higher end. The Rio Grande Valley and West Texas are the most underserved regions — and where employers are most aggressive with sign-on bonuses and relocation assistance.
How to Enroll in a TWC Healthcare Training Program
1. Visit your local Workforce Solutions office. Texas has 28 local workforce development boards, each operating Workforce Solutions centers. In person, you can meet with a career counselor who can assess your eligibility for TWC-funded training, including the Self-Sufficiency Fund and WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) funding. Find your nearest office at twc.texas.gov/directory-workforce-solutions-offices-services.
2. Identify the healthcare role you want. Use the career table above and check the TWC’s Texas Career Check tool (texascareercheck.com) for salary projections, job growth forecasts, and required credentials in your specific region of Texas.
3. Contact a community college partner. If you are an employer, reach out to the health sciences or continuing education department at your local community college. They will handle the Skills Development Fund grant application — your organization provides a letter of commitment and staffing projections. If you are an individual, ask about WIOA-eligible programs and financial aid options.
4. Gather your documentation. Typical requirements: proof of Texas residency, high school diploma or GED, government-issued ID, and (for the Self-Sufficiency Fund) proof of income or public assistance enrollment.
5. Apply and start training. Once approved, training can be delivered on-site at a healthcare facility, at the college campus, or in a blended format. Many programs include clinical rotations at partner hospitals and clinics — giving you real experience before you graduate.
Where the Jobs Are: Texas Healthcare Demand by Region
Region RNs per 100K
Population Shortage Level Key Cities
Rio Grande Valley 545.9 Severe — 27% below
state average McAllen, Brownsville,
Harlingen, Laredo
West Texas 614.6 Severe — rural
counties hardest hit El Paso, Midland,
Odessa, Abilene
Central Texas 693.2 High — fastest
growing region Austin, Round Rock,
San Marcos, Killeen
Gulf Coast
(Houston) 746.6 Moderate — at
state average Houston, Galveston,
Beaumont, Sugar Land
North Texas
(Dallas-Fort Worth) 802.1 Moderate — but
32.1% turnover rate Dallas, Fort Worth,
Arlington, Plano

North Texas has the highest RN turnover rate in the state (32.1%), meaning continuous replacement hiring layered on top of growth. Central Texas — anchored by Austin — expects the greatest unmet RN demand of any region by 2036. If you are flexible about location, the Rio Grande Valley and West Texas offer the strongest salary competition and relocation incentives.
The Freestanding ER Boom Creates More Jobs
Texas leads the nation with 338 freestanding emergency rooms (FSERs) as of 2023, and the sector continues to expand. HCA Healthcare alone announced plans to open 15 additional FSERs across Texas by 2026, representing a $150 million investment. Each new facility requires a full nursing and support staff complement — creating direct hiring demand for ER nurses (ACLS/PALS certified), radiology technicians, lab techs, medical assistants, and patient registration staff.

Sources
Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies (TCNWS), 2024 Hospital Nurse Staffing Study and 2022-2036 Supply & Demand Projections | U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), 2025 State-Level Nursing Workforce Projections | Texas Demographic Center, Population Projections | Texas Workforce Commission, Skills Development Fund, JET Grant Program, and Self-Sufficiency Fund program descriptions (twc.texas.gov) | Prime Meridian Careers, “Texas Nursing Shortage 2026: Data & Projections” (March 2026) | KERA News, “Texas Health Care Workforce” (June 2026) | Texas Business Grants, “Skills Development Fund for Healthcare” (March 2026) | Dallas Express, “$14M JET Grants” (November 2025) | Texas Department of State Health Services, Health Workforce Data.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Program availability, eligibility requirements, and funding amounts are subject to change. Always verify details directly with the Texas Workforce Commission (twc.texas.gov) or your local Workforce Solutions office before making career or enrollment decisions.