The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) Office of Apprenticeship announced $1.5 million in grant funding through the New Jersey Builder’s Utilization Initiative for Labor Diversity (NJBUILD) Women and Minorities in Construction Trades program.
It will support training women and minority New Jersey residents in the building and construction industry.
This is the second round of NJBUILD grant funding in FY26 to support the training of women and minority program participants in preparation for placement in Registered Apprenticeships or full-time, long-term employment in the construction industry or building and construction trades.
The Women and Minorities in Construction Trades Program’s goal is to eliminate economic barriers to investing in skills training and work readiness, and to connect women and minorities to quality career and training opportunities in the construction trades.
NJDOL has awarded more than $23 million in NJBUILD funding through the Women and Minorities in Construction and the Women and Minority Veterans in Construction competitive grant programs since FY19 to train more than 2,400 New Jersey women and minorities in the building and construction trades.
The following organizations are eligible to apply for the NJBUILD grant as a lead applicant:
- Any employer based in New Jersey or with a New Jersey presence;
- Workforce Intermediary Sponsors;
- Employer/Trade Associations;
- Any labor organization that represents workers in the occupation for which the apprentices will be trained;
- Labor/Management Partnership (public or private);
- New Jersey Local Education Agency (LEA);
- Public vocational schools within New Jersey;
- Public high schools within New Jersey;
- Two- and four-year institutions of higher education;
- Public or private non-profit organizations (including Community-Based Organizations);
- Business or trade organizations representing a particular trade, group of trades, contractors, or employers;
- Community-based organizations;
- New Jersey local Workforce Development Boards;
- Economic development organizations;
- State, Local, and County governments within New Jersey;
- Faith-based organizations; and
- Any other private educational or training entity that is on the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL).
On March 18, a virtual technical assistance (TA) workshop will be held. Pre-registration is required at least one business day prior. Click here to register.
April 8: Letter of Intent due by noon. Letters of intent for grants are due April 8, and applications are due by noon April 15. Instructions and the full Notice of Grant Opportunity are here.
In February, NJDOL announced a significant $6 million funding opportunity through its Job Opportunities for Building Success (JOBS) initiative. The grant aims to break down employment barriers for New Jerseyans who have been involved with the justice system, providing them with the training and support needed to secure long-term career stability.
