The state Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s Office of Apprenticeship will hold a virtual information workshop this month regarding the $5 million in Growing Apprenticeship in Nontraditional Sectors (GAINS) grants that are now available.
The GAINS grant program promotes expansion of U.S. Department of Labor-approved Registered Apprenticeship programs to support better-paying careers and the attainment of advanced credentials. The program seeks to develop new and existing apprenticeship programs and create apprenticeships in high-growth industries.
An online technical assistance workshop will be held Nov. 20 at 1 p.m. for employers, trade associations, labor associations and other eligible organizations interested in applying for grants. Registration must be completed the day prior (Nov. 19) here.
The deadline for submitting a letter of intent to apply for the grant is noon on Dec. 1 and the applications themselves are due by noon on Dec. 8. View complete details and the full Notice of Grant Opportunity here.
“With thousands of participating employers in hundreds of occupations, apprenticeship is developing a new generation of workers who can help New Jersey’s economy continue to thrive,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “Apprenticeship programs also help participating businesses meet the increasing demand for a specialized workforce.”
Proposals must provide new apprentices with a starting wage of at least $17 per hour unless a lower rate is justified. GAINS funding can be used to reimburse up to 50% of new apprentices’ wages for a maximum of $12,000 per apprentice over 52 work weeks.
This competitive grant opportunity is open to the following entities who are developing new, or building upon existing, Registered Apprenticeship programs. This includes:
- Any employer
- Employer /Trade Associations
- Any labor organization that represents workers in the occupation for which the apprentices will be trained
- Labor/Management Partnership (public or private)
- New Jersey Local Education Agency (LEA)
- Public vocational schools within New Jersey
- Two- and four-year institutions of higher education
- Public or private non-profit organizations (including community-based organizations)
- Business or trade organizations representing a particular trade, group of trades, contractors or employers
- Community-based organizations
- New Jersey local Workforce Development Boards
- Economic development organizations
- Workforce intermediary sponsors
The GAINS grant is part of the state’s New Jersey Apprenticeship Network, an initiative supported by NJBIA that seeks to make the Garden State a leader for apprenticeship programs nationwide and provide options for all New Jerseyans to build meaningful careers across a wide range of employers. The state currently has 8,757 active apprentices in 1,224 registered programs.
