NJDOL Announces $1.5 Million in Grant Funding to Prepare Women and Minority Residents for Careers in the Construction Trades

TRENTON – The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) Office of Apprenticeship announced the availability of $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 to support the training of women and minority New Jersey residents in the building and construction industry.

The Women and Minorities in Construction Trades Program (WMIC) seeks to eliminate economic barriers commonly associated with investing in skills training and work readiness to connect women and minorities to quality career and training opportunities in the construction trades.

“The NJBUILD initiative is more than just an investment in skills training – it’s an investment in New Jersey’s communities and future,” said Acting Labor Commissioner Kevin D. Jarvis. “By empowering women and minority workers with the training needed to excel in the construction trades, we are laying the foundation for a workforce that reflects the rich diversity of our state and drives economic growth that benefits all New Jerseyans.”

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. This program provides quality support services to women and minorities to ensure both successful placement and employment retention.

Since FY19, 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 to train more than 2,400 New Jersey women and minorities in the building and construction trades.

“Through the NJBUILD grant from the New Jersey Department of Labor, Camden County College has expanded access to meaningful career pathways that lead directly to sustained employment in the skilled trades,” said Dr. Lovell Pugh-Bassett, President of Camden County College, an NJBUILD grantee. “This investment has empowered our students with in-demand technical skills, industry-recognized training, and the confidence to enter the workforce immediately. It is a powerful example of how strategic collaboration between education and workforce partners can transform lives and strengthen communities.”

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).

Funding from this grant will be used to support training in building and construction occupations in clean energy and lead abatement, as well as in the construction industry for craft, administrative, support, and operational roles, along with professional titles and skilled trades.

Key dates:

March 18, 10 a.m.: Virtual technical assistance (TA) workshop (pre-registration required at least one business day prior). Click here to register.

April 8: Letter of Intent due by noon

April 15: Application due by noon

View the complete application instructions and the full Notice of Grant Opportunity here.

Learn more about NJDOL’s available grants on the Grant Opportunities website.

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