The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) Office of Apprenticeship announced $9 million in available funding through a second round of FY26 Growing Apprenticeship in Nontraditional Sectors (GAINS) and Pre-Apprenticeship in Career Education (PACE) grants.
These grants are used 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 $110 million through grant programs to create and develop work-based learning, pre-apprenticeship, and apprenticeship programs. This has supported the creation of 972 registered apprenticeship programs in New Jersey – a 159% increase – and enabled 26,577 apprentices to be onboarded. The state has 10,575 active apprentices in 1,583 programs.
“This $9 million in grant funding demonstrates New Jersey’s ongoing commitment to building a workforce that is both skilled and adaptable, ensuring our residents are better equipped for the challenges of the modern economy,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “The GAINS and PACE grants are pivotal in this mission, providing vital support to apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs.”
$6 million is available through the GAINS program, which develops new and existing apprenticeship programs and creates Registered Apprenticeship programs in high-growth industries, with a focus on equality of opportunity, upward mobility, and economic fairness.
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.
GAINS Key dates:
- Feb. 19 and March 25, 1 p.m.: Virtual technical assistance (TA) workshops (pre-registration required at least three business days prior to workshop; applicants encouraged to attend).
- April 10: Letter of Intent due by noon
- April 17: Application due by noon
$3 million is available through the PACE program, which 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.
PACE Key dates:
- Jan. 22 and Feb. 18, 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).
- March 6: Letter of Intent due by noon
- March 13: Application due by noon
