The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development Office of Apprenticeship has announced $8 million in funding through the Growing Apprenticeship in Nontraditional Sectors (GAINS) and Pre-Apprenticeship in Career Education (PACE) grant programs to foster the creation and expansion of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs throughout the state.
Under the Murphy administration, the state has invested more than $100 million through grant programs to create and develop work-based learning, pre-apprenticeship, and apprenticeship programs. The administration says this has supported the creation of 918 registered apprenticeship programs in New Jersey and enabled 25,608 new apprentices to be onboarded since Murphy took office in 2018. The state has 10,535 active apprentices in 1,529 programs.
“Apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs are key pillars in building a robust workforce and driving economic growth across the state,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “Through the GAINS and PACE grants, we are equipping our workforce with the tools needed to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving job market, while ensuring every New Jerseyan has access to quality employment opportunities.”
Five million dollars is available through the GAINS program, which provides funding to support the development of new and existing registered apprenticeship programs in high-growth industries.
Proposals must provide new apprentices with a starting wage of at least $18 per hour unless a lower rate is justified. GAINS funding can be used to offset the training and associated costs of new registered apprentices and to reimburse up to 50% of new apprentices’ wages for a maximum of $12,000 per apprentice over 52 work weeks.
“The GAINS grant is a critical investment that allows Brookdale to strengthen and expand our teacher apprenticeship programs,” said David M. Stout, president of Brookdale Community College, a GAINS grantee.
Key dates:
Oct. 23 and Nov. 12, 1 p.m.: Virtual technical assistance (TA) workshops (pre-registration required at least three business days prior to workshop; applicants are strongly encouraged to attend).
- Nov. 21: Letter of Intent due by noon
- Nov. 26: Application due by noon
With $3 million in funding available, the PACE program was developed primarily to promote equal opportunities, upward mobility, and economic fairness while helping to alleviate economic barriers that hinder upskilling.
PACE programs provide tools such as job readiness, essential skills, and occupation-specific training, and funding that can be used to offset participants’ related costs, such as childcare, transportation, and the attainment of a high school equivalency diploma or GED.
These programs must be partnered with at least one registered apprenticeship program sponsor. Together, the programs expand career pathways with industry-based training and classroom instruction, leading to better-paying positions and advanced credentials.
“The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development PACE Program funding supported the official launch of the Students 2 Science pre-apprentice program focusing on laboratory and medical technicians and future educators,” said Chief Development Officer Dan Barnett of Students 2 Science, a PACE grantee. “Our pre-apprenticeship program provides immersive, in-laboratory learning experiences to support and prepare the next generation of STEM leaders.”
Key dates:
- Oct. 2, 1 p.m.: Virtual technical assistance (TA) workshops (pre-registration required at least three business days prior to workshop; applicants are strongly encouraged to attend).
- Oct. 24: Letter of Intent due by noon
- Oct. 31: Application due by noon
