A $5.7 million federal grant is set to boost health care workforce development in North Texas, uniting four community colleges and the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council to train and place more skilled professionals.

The four-year Partners in Advancing Talent in Healthcare (PATH) Project will deliver targeted training, build innovative career pathways, and provide more than $1.3 million in tuition assistance. Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration, the initiative will serve thousands of students—particularly low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and aspiring health care professionals from historically underserved communities.

“This is what barrier-busting business looks like: collaboration across institutions, innovation in workforce development and a shared commitment to equity and access in health care,” said Dr. Justin H. Lonon, Dallas College chancellor. “We’re not just training tomorrow’s workforce—we’re investing in the health and vitality of our communities.”

Dallas College, Tarrant County College, Navarro College, Hill College, and the DFW Hospital Council are partnering in the effort, which aims to expand access, improve equity, and meet rising demand in the region’s health care sector.

“The PATH Project gives our students more than just access, it gives them direction, support and a clear path into health care careers that are deeply needed across our communities,” said Dr. Tetsuya Umebayashi, vice provost of the School of Health Sciences at Dallas College.

A formal signing ceremony held this week at Dallas College brought together leaders from all partner institutions. The project runs through 2029, marking a sustained regional commitment to addressing health care workforce shortages.

Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, Dallas College serves more than 127,000 students annually across its seven campuses and multiple centers. It is the largest provider of dual credit in Texas, serving 30,000 high school students in 63 programs.