NJDOL Awards $2M+ in Grants to Businesses, Organizations to Bolster Apprenticeship Programs
NJDOL Awards $2M+ in Grants to Businesses, Organizations to Bolster Apprenticeship Programs
TRENTON – The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) has awarded a total of $2.17 million in funding to seven businesses and organizations under the Growing Apprenticeship In Nontraditional Sectors (GAINS) and Pre-Apprenticeship in Career Education (PACE) grant programs, which support the creation and expansion of apprenticeships throughout the state. These programs are part of the New Jersey Apprenticeship Network – an initiative that seeks to help all New Jerseyans cultivate careers across a wide range of employers.
“We’re proud to partner with these employers who recognize the value of apprenticeship and its impact on developing a strong and skilled workforce,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “Apprenticeship allows employers to build the talent they need, and gives workers the opportunity to earn a wage while learning skills that will lead to a gainful career.”
The GAINS grant program, which awarded more than $1.5 million across five employers, promotes expansion of United States Department of Labor (USDOL) approved Registered Apprenticeship programs to support better-paying careers and advanced credential attainment. The program seeks to develop new and existing apprenticeship programs, create Registered Apprenticeship programs in high-growth industries, and bolster workers and businesses that have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic – such as the health care industry. A particular focus of GAINS grants is supporting underrepresented populations.
“Laury Heating has a passion for providing opportunity to our team members, many of whom are the young people of our community,” said Kasie Harris, C.E.O. and co-owner of Laury Heating Cooling of Vineland. “This grant will help us continue to grow, continue to train young people in a skill that will serve them and their families for a lifetime, and allow us to serve more people in South Jersey with excellent heating and cooling services. Thank you, NJDOL, for your partnership in such an important initiative.”
“We are thrilled to receive this support from NJDOL to provide a step for so many into the life science industry,” said Keith Bostian, Dean of the New Jersey Center for Science, Technology, and Mathematics (NJCSTM) at Kean University, speaking on behalf of the Institute for Life Science Entrepreneurship, a grantee that will use the funds to cultivate 20 new lab technicians. “Kean University is an outstanding learning environment, and the Institute for Life Science Entrepreneurship is an excellent partner for employment opportunities.”
The current round of GAINS awards is listed below:
| FY 2022 Growing Apprenticeship In Nontraditional Sectors (GAINS) Round 2 | ||||
| Grantee Name | Counties to be Served | Occupation(s) | Grant Amount | # of Apprentices |
| Hamilton Ryker | Burlington, Cumberland, Essex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Somerset, Union | Nurse Assistant, LPN, Cook | $529,295 | 70 |
| Laury Heating Cooling | Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem | Heating and Air Conditioning Installers | $158,600 | 17 |
| Elizabeth Development Company | Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Union, Warren | Truck Driver | $231,934 | 30 |
| Institute for Life Science Entrepreneurship | Union | Laboratory Technician | $187,600 | 20 |
| Barnabas Heath | Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Union, Warren | Medical Assistant, Medical Secretary | $475,000 | 50 |
| TOTAL: | $1,582,429 | 187 | ||
Awarding nearly $600,000 to three employers, the PACE grant program supports pre-apprenticeship programs that provide education and training to prepare participants for either placement into a Registered Apprenticeship program, a post-secondary college or occupation-specific career training program, or the workforce.
In partnership with a Registered Apprenticeship program sponsor, these programs expand career pathways with industry-based training and classroom instruction, leading to better-paying positions and advanced credentials. The program was developed primarily to promote equal opportunities, upward mobility, and economic fairness while helping to alleviate economic barriers that keep workers from learning new skills. PACE programs provide tools such as job readiness, essential skills, and occupation-specific training, and funding can be used to offer stipends to offset costs of childcare, transportation, the attainment of a high school equivalency diploma or GED.
The current round of PACE grantees is listed below:
| FY 2022 Pre-Apprenticeship in Career Education (PACE) Round 2 | ||||
| Grantee Name | Counties to be Served | Occupation(s) | Grant Amount | # of Apprentices |
| Bayada Home Healthcare | Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Union | Practical Nursing | $194,335 | 25 |
| Raritan Valley Community College | Hunterdon, Somerset | Healthcare | $159,844 | 30 |
| Elizabeth Development Company | Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Union Warren | Truck Driver | $236,912 | 30 |
| TOTAL: | $591,091 | 85 | ||
Funding from the previous round of GAINS grants was awarded to 11 applicants to onboard 725 apprentices in occupations such as Registered Nurse Residency, Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator, and Cyber Security Support Technician – among others. Previous PACE grant funding during this fiscal year has supported more than 100 pre-apprentices in advanced manufacturing and carpentry.
Governor Murphy established the New Jersey Apprenticeship Network soon after taking office to grow apprenticeship programs in New Jersey and make the Garden State a leader for apprenticeship programs nationwide. Since the Governor took office in January 2018, the state has seen increases of up to 92% in new Registered Apprenticeship programs.
For more information on the New Jersey Office of Apprenticeship, please visit: apprenticeship.nj.gov
