NJDOL Announces $2.5 Million in Grants
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TRENTON –(November 12, 2025) The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) Office of Apprenticeship has announced $2.5 million in available funding through the New Jersey Builder’s Utilization Initiative for Labor Diversity (NJBUILD) Women and Minorities in Construction Trades grant program to support the training of minority and women residents of New Jersey in the construction trades.
The Women and Minorities in Construction Trades Program (WMIC) seeks to eliminate economic barriers commonly associated with investing in skills training and work readiness and connect minority populations and women to quality career and training opportunities in the building and construction industry.
“The NJBUILD program underscores our state’s commitment to breaking down barriers and empowering underrepresented groups in our workforce,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “This vital funding provides women and minority residents with the tools needed to build successful careers in the construction industry, ultimately leading to a more inclusive and resilient economy in New Jersey.”
This is the first round of this grant funding this year that will provide women and minority participants with training in preparation for placement in Registered Apprenticeships or full-time, long-term employment in the construction industry or building and construction trades occupations and provides quality support services to ensure successful placement and retention in employment.
Since FY24, NJDOL awarded approximately $8.9 million in NJBUILD funding to 19 organizations to support the training of approximately 809 women and minorities in the construction trades.
CEO Debbie M. Myers of Myers Crossing LLC, an NJBUILD grantee, said: “The NJBUILD grant to train women and minorities specifically for the construction trades was instrumental in Myers Crossing LLC’s mission to ‘level the playing field’ for minorities and women in the construction and construction related industries. However, it does so much more than that. It helps those going through challenging times with the ability to gain the skills necessary to enter employment and ultimately remove them from other government subsidies to self-sufficiency.”
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 NJBUILD grant announcement is intended to support training in the construction and building trades industry, including clean energy and lead abatement occupations. Occupations within the construction craft, administrative, support, or operational occupations are also acceptable. This includes professional titles as well as skilled trades.
Key dates:
- November 19, 10 a.m.: Virtual technical assistance (TA) workshop (pre-registration required by noon on November 18; applicants must attend). Click here to register.
- December 5: Letter of Intent due by noon
- December 12: Application due by noon
View complete application instructions and the full Notice of Grant Opportunity here.
See all available grants on NJDOL’s Grant Opportunities website.