The state Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) said Tuesday it has awarded $1.48 million in grants to four organizations working to expand construction career access for women and minority residents across the state.
The funding is through a second FY26 round of the New Jersey Builders Utilization Initiative for Labor Diversity’s (NJBUILD) Women and Minorities in Construction Trades grant program (WMIC) administered by the NJDOL’s Office of Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning.
The WMIC supports pre-apprenticeship training, wraparound supportive services, and job placement assistance designed to reduce financial and systemic barriers that have historically limited diversity in the building and construction industry.
“New Jersey’s construction industry is strongest when it reflects the communities it serves,” said acting Labor Commissioner Kevin D. Jarvis. “These grants represent our continued commitment to breaking down barriers and creating accessible pathways to high-quality careers in the trades.”
The NJBUILD program funds training that prepares participants for registered apprenticeships or direct placement into full-time construction employment, while also providing supportive services to ensure participants succeed during training and after job placement.
The awards announced Tuesday provide a total of $1,480,748 in funds to train 105 people to work in various construction trades including electrical, HVAC, plumbing, carpentry and more. The grant recipients are:
- East Orange School District ($375,000)
- Elizabeth Development Company ($430,748)
- New Beginnings Behavioral Health ($300,000)
- Rutgers University ($375,000)
Since FY2019, NJDOL has invested more than $24.5 million through NJBUILD to train more than 2,500 women and minority residents for careers in the building and construction trades.
New Beginnings Behavioral Health, an NJBUILD grantee, recently hosted an orientation to introduce attendees to careers in skilled trades. While the program anticipated serving 15 participants, 77 individuals attended, demonstrating significant community demand for construction career pathways.
“One of the most encouraging highlights was the significant number of women who participated, reflecting a growing interest in pursuing careers in a field where women have historically been underrepresented,” said Amir Khan, CEO and founder of New Beginnings Behavioral Health.
“The overwhelming response reinforces the importance of continuing to build strong partnerships with employers, apprenticeship programs, and community organizations to create lasting opportunities for the individuals, families, and communities we serve,” Khan said.
With funding from NJBUILD, the Rutgers Employment Success Program, under Rutgers University’s Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT), will work alongside community organizations, labor unions, employers, and industry experts to connect participants to construction career opportunities.
“As experienced tradespeople retire, and demand for skilled workers continues to grow, we’re challenged not only to fill critical workforce needs, but to inspire a new generation to see the skilled trades as careers of purpose, stability, and long-term opportunity, said Todd Pisani, Director of the Rutgers Employment Success Program.
“Expanding participation among women and minorities isn’t simply about broadening access — it’s about recognizing talent that has often been overlooked and ensuring our future workforce reflects the full strength of our communities."
For more information, go to the New Jersey Office of Apprenticeship.
