The "Trojan Horse" Strategy: How Frisco Businesses Are Getting Free AI Training

You are not alone. Every business owner in Frisco is looking for a way to fund the AI revolution in their office. We all want the efficiency, the speed, and the competitive edge. But here is the hard truth: The government rarely gives you cash to buy software.

Unless you are building a robotic guidance system for the Navy, you probably aren't getting a federal grant to pay for your ChatGPT Enterprise or Microsoft Copilot licenses.

But don't close your laptop just yet. There is a loophole—a "Trojan Horse" strategy—that smart business owners in Collin County are using right now.

The State of Texas does have a massive pot of money available. But it’s not for software. It’s for skills.

The Pivot: Stop Buying, Start Learning

By re-framing your "AI adoption" plan as "Workforce Development," you can access funds that pay 100% of the cost to train your team on how to actually use these tools.

Enter the TWC Skills for Small Business program.

This is a grant from the Texas Workforce Commission specifically designed for businesses with fewer than 100 employees. It is one of the best-kept secrets in the Texas business community.

The "Free Money" Stats:

$2,000 per year for new employees (hired in the last 12 months).

$1,000 per year for incumbent employees (current staff).

The Best Part? This isn't a reimbursement nightmare where you pay up front and wait six months for a check. The TWC pays the college directly. You pay $0 out of pocket for tuition and fees.

The Frisco Connection: Collin College

Here is where it gets local. This grant works exclusively with public community and technical colleges. For us in Frisco, that means your partner is Collin College.

While you might think of the college for general education, they have quietly built a dedicated Data Science & AI curriculum that fits perfectly under this grant.

Do the math: Most of these continuing education courses cost between $149 and $400. Since the grant covers up to $1,000 per employee, the training is effectively free for your business.

The Playbook: How to Execute This Strategy

Ready to get started? Don't just throw this at your HR manager. Follow these steps to maximize the benefit.

Step 1: Identify the "Champion"

Don't try to train your entire workforce overnight. Pick one or two employees—or even yourself—to be the designated "AI Lead."

Step 2: Select the Course

Collin College offers two distinct tracks depending on who you are sending.

Option A: For Business Owners & Managers (Non-Technical)

Generative AI for the Rest of Us: Focuses on understanding ChatGPT, prompt engineering, and ethical business use.

Data Science – Business Analytics (Code: ITSE 1073): Teaches you how to use data to make decisions without needing to be a coder.

Option B: For Your Tech/IT Staff (Technical)

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (Code: ITSE 1071 or ITSC 1022): Covers the foundational science behind AI systems.

Beginning Programming 1 with Python (Code: CPGM 6340): Python is the "language of AI"—this is the prerequisite for building your own tools.

Data Science – Applied Machine Learning (Code: ITSE 1075): Applies concepts to real-world data sets.

Step 3: Apply Before You Register (Crucial!)

Warning: Do not pay for the course first! You must apply through the TWC portal. It generally takes about two weeks to get approved. If you pay out of pocket first, you cannot use the grant for that transaction.

Step 4: The Handshake

Once approved, TWC sends the money to Collin College, and your employee attends the class. Simple.

Why This Beats a "Software Grant"

Buying a gym membership doesn't make you fit; hiring a trainer does. The same logic applies to technology. Buying expensive AI software doesn't make you efficient; training your staff to use it does.

Furthermore, employees love being upskilled. It shows you are investing in their future, rather than just looking for a bot to replace them.

Stop Waiting. Start Training.

Stop waiting for a federal handout to buy software. Use the resources right here in Collin County to build a team that knows how to use it.

Ready to apply?
TWC Skills for Small Business Application

Need help navigating the course list? Call Collin College Corporate College at (972) 599-3100 and ask for the Skills for Small Business coordinator.