NJDOL opens $2M NJBUILD grants to train women and minority residents for construction careers

# What the grant is and who it targets Development (NJDOL) is making $2 million available through the New Jersey Builder's Utilization Initiative for Labor Diversity (NJBUILD). These awards are part of the Women and Minorities in Construction Trades (WMIC) program, aimed at training women and minority New Jersey residents for construction trades, apprenticeship slots and other skilled occupations in the building trades.

# Results to date NJDOL reports that since 2019 it has awarded more than $24 million through NJBUILD programs, including WMIC and Women and Minority Veterans in Construction. Those programs have trained more than 2,500 women and minority participants in construction trades to date.

# What the grants are intended to fund The announced grants are intended to connect participants to hands-on training, industry-recognized credentials and pathways to Registered Apprenticeships and employment. NJDOL describes the funding as supporting both the skills pipeline and a more inclusive construction workforce.

# Who can apply The notice lists a broad set of eligible applicants, including:

• Employers based in New Jersey or with a New Jersey presence
• Workforce intermediary sponsors and employer/trade associations
• Labor organizations and labor/management partnerships (public or private)
• New Jersey local education agencies, public vocational schools, and public high schools
• Two- and four-year higher education institutions
• Public or private nonprofit organizations, including community-based organizations
• Business or trade organizations representing specific trades or contractors
• Local Workforce Development Boards and economic development organizations
• State, local and county governments and faith-based organizations
• Any private educational or training entity on New Jersey's Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL)

# Where this fits in broader workforce funding

Gov. Mikie Sherrill is quoted saying New Jersey's construction industry is "strongest when it reflects the people and communities of the state." NJDOL Chief of NJBUILD and Special Initiatives Jessica Richardson described the programs as a "critical investment in untapped talent" and a commitment to building an inclusive, skilled construction workforce. Richardson also emphasized the pathway design: training, credentials, and routes into apprenticeships and employment.

# Practical next steps for interested organizations Organizations that match the eligible list should review the NJDOL Notice of Grant Opportunity and application instructions linked in the announcement. The program prioritizes projects that provide hands-on training, industry credentials, and clear connections to apprenticeship and employment outcomes.