WSTC receives Teacher Externship Grant for a second year, to connect CTE teachers with high demand industries
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Lacey Douglas, Workforce Solutions
Phone: 817.823.0533 / Email: [email protected]
WSTC receives Teacher Externship Grant for a second year, to connect CTE teachers with high demand industries
TARRANT COUNTY, Texas (January 16, 2026) – Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County (WSTC) is proud to announce that due to the overwhelming success in year one of the Teacher Externship Program, we were awarded the 2026 grant to continue our impact.
WSTC received funding from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) for this hands-on externship experience which offers a unique opportunity to connect classroom learning with real world industry experience. In this, our second year of receiving funding, WSTC will continue to bridge the critical gap between theoretical classroom instruction and practical, real-world application.
The 2026 grant will serve up to 45 Tarrant County CTE educators, who will engage in 10 days of immersive, on-site learning with Tarrant County employers across high demand industries such as Aerospace, Business Administration, Construction, Hospitality, Logistics and Manufacturing.
The program will also include a collaborative curriculum development component, enabling teachers to co-create interdisciplinary modules that reflect current industry standards and can be adapted across grade levels and subject areas. By equipping educators with firsthand insights into evolving workforce needs, this initiative will enhance career readiness for thousands of students across the region and strengthen alignment between education and economic development.
WSTC is calling on Tarrant County businesses to participate by hosting one or more educators during the externship. Employers who host will play a crucial role in shaping the future workforce by providing educators with the tools they need to inspire the next generation of professionals.
Businesses interested in hosting a teacher can learn more and apply by visiting this link: 2026 Teacher Externship Link (Employers).
Educators who participate in the externship will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in local businesses, gaining firsthand experience that will help them better guide students toward diverse career paths. They will also earn a $2,000 stipend upon completion of the program, along with up to an additional $500 to purchase classroom materials that support the implementation of their industry-informed lesson plans. These lesson plans will be designed to connect academic content with workforce applications, broaden student awareness of career pathways, and integrate employer engagement through guest speakers, field trips and hands-on projects.
“The Teacher Externship Program offered by Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County, is significantly enhancing the quality of Career and Technical Education (CTE) in middle and high schools across Tarrant County. These experiences are a crucial piece to the puzzle in bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world industry experience. Together we can shape the future of education for our workforce,” said Renee Parker, Business Services Director for Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County.
The Teacher Externship Grant will be executed through a strategic partnership between Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County (WSTC) and InterLink, Inc. Similar programs are being offered by Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas (WFSDallas) and Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas (WSNCT).
For more information including flyers, interest form links for both Employers and Educators as well as our 2025 Teacher Externship Wrap Up Video, please visit this link: WSTC Teacher Externship Grant Information.
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About Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County
Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County (WSTC), under the direction of the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), is one of 28 local workforce development boards located throughout the state. WSTC’s primary goal is to meet the needs of Tarrant County employers and workers through locally designed market-driven workforce development initiatives and services. All employers, workers and job seekers are eligible to take advantage of these services. The 29-member Workforce Development Board (WDB) is made up of business and community leaders and is chaired by Rosa Navejar, President of the Rios Group. The WDB works in partnership with the Workforce Governing Board (WGB), which is composed of Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, Arlington Mayor Jim Ross and chaired by Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare, to oversee Workforce services in Tarrant County. More information can be found at www.workforcesolutions.net or by calling 817.413.4000.
