The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board has approved a grant award of more than $1.2 million to the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 825. This funding will support the construction of a new, modern training facility in Dayton, significantly expanding apprenticeship opportunities for New Jerseyans in the engineering and construction sector.
The grant, issued under the Apprenticeship Training Centers Construction Grant Program, will cover 70 percent of eligible project costs. The new facility will replace insufficient classroom and office spaces, allowing IUOE Local 825 to increase its apprentice intake and provide comprehensive skill development geared toward modern construction demands.
“Under Governor Phil Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey has invested in innovative apprenticeship and workforce development programs to prepare residents for high-quality job opportunities in the state’s key industries,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “The expansion of Local 825’s training facilities will ensure New Jerseyans have the skills necessary to capitalize on these new economic opportunities.”
IUOE Local 825, which represents more than 8,200 members across the Garden State and New York, focuses on training heavy equipment operators—including those who run cranes, bulldozers, and graders. The new facility is essential for expanding instruction in new technologies and processes to preserve mastery of heavy equipment operation.
“Thank you to Governor Phil Murphy, NJEDA CEO Tim Sullivan, and the NJEDA Board for recognizing the technology-driven evolution of operating engineering and the strong demand reflected in Local 825’s annual apprentice applications,” said IUOE Local 825 Business Manager Greg Lalevee. “Their commitment to training New Jerseyans will enable us to expand our facilities in line with these realities and deliver cutting-edge instruction to more apprentices.”
The funding is part of a broader, state-wide effort to support registered apprenticeship programs, which have received over $100 million in grant funding since 2018, leading to a 157 percent increase in earn-while-you-learn opportunities in New Jersey.
