Central Texas workforce programs receive thousands in state funding [Video]

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Central Texas nonprofits just got more money to help their efforts increasing our workforce.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Texas allocates more than $6.3M in workforce grants

Twenty workforce skills training and job placement programs received more than $6.3 million in grant funding, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday.

The funding came via the Texas Talent Connection grant program, an initiative designed to aid “innovative education and workforce skills training programs that lead to successful job placement, increased wages, and improved job retention,” per the release.

Two of those programs are in the Austin area: American YouthWorks and Skillpoint Alliance.

‘Reach out to rural communities’

Skillpoint Alliance received $210,000 from the grant program.

Chief Executive Officer Kevin Brackmeyer said it will help them reach out to rural communities throughout all of the areas they serve.

Brackmeyer said they are setting up pop-up trainings in those rural places. He said the grant will also help expand the times they can train.

“Adding more training sites at night as …