$6 million in available funding has been announced to foster training opportunities for minorities and women in construction and related trades, according to a Monday announcement from the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development.
The money, made possible by the New Jersey Builders Utilization Initiative for Labor Diversity’s Women and Minorities in Construction Trades grant program, promotes outreach and occupational skills training such as preapprenticeship training, registered apprenticeship and on-the-job-training for women and minority residents, helping them gain the workforce readiness and skills needed to enter a union apprenticeship or employment in a construction-related job with a pay rate of no less than $15 per hour.
The program also assists public works contractors, businesses and trade unions in meeting their workforce needs, as well as provides reimbursement of wages and related costs.
“Through NJBUILD, we’re engaging with both participants and employers to ensure underrepresented populations have a pathway to a successful and rewarding career in the construction trades,” Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo said. “Equity has been a strong principle of Gov. (Phil) Murphy’s administration and is at the core of all aspects of our department’s work.”
In support of Murphy’s commitment to investing in the green economy, a portion of this grant funding is dedicated to proposals including, but not limited to, offshore wind, energy efficiency, environmental infrastructure, grid infrastructure and storage, solar and weatherization occupations. Applications are also encouraged to focus on training and placement into lead abatement occupations.
For complete information on the NJBUILD grant, click here.
