The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) has announced $1.5 million in available funding through the Opportunity Partnership Grant (OPG) training program.

The purpose of the OPG is to help displaced/dislocated workers secure gainful employment at sustainable wages by providing occupational training based on employers’ needs in the most in-demand industry sectors. The grant aims to provide for training to fill workforce skills gaps.

“New Jersey has a strong workforce, but the available jobs don’t always match their skill set,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “The Opportunity Partnership Grant helps train today’s workers for jobs in our state’s most in-demand sectors, with trainees earning industry-valued credentials that will jumpstart their careers and earning potential.”

Eligible OPG applicants include New Jersey Workforce Development Boards that engage external third-party training providers, post-secondary educational institutions, and qualifying schools approved by NJDOL. Training offered must lead to an industry-recognized certificate, credential, or licensure required by employers, in-demand industry sectors.

Proposals must include the training to be offered to qualified displaced/dislocated workers, with the intent to teach skills required by employer-partners to fill full-time job openings. Employer-partners must hire and retain selected individuals for at least six months following successful completion of training at a wage of at least $15 per hour.

Training applicants may be awarded up to $6,000 per trainee to a maximum of $200,000. Grant recipients must collaborate with county One-Stop Career Centers to recruit eligible training program candidates.

Applications must be submitted by 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, 2022. For more information, read the complete Notice of Grant Opportunity here.

Learn about all grants available through the NJDOL here.