The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development Office of Apprenticeship recently announced $5 million in available funding through the Growing Apprenticeship in Nontraditional Sectors grant program – also known as GAINS. Local educational agencies and public vocational schools are among those eligible to apply for the funding.
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 registered apprenticeship programs in high-growth industries. The particular focus of GAINS grants is to promote equality of opportunity, upward mobility and economic fairness.
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.
In addition to LEAs and public vocational schools, the following entities can apply to the competitive grant opportunity as long as they are building upon existing registered apprenticeship programs or building new ones:
- 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).
- Two- and four-year institutions of higher education.
- Public or private nonprofit 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.
Key Dates
- Nov. 20 at 1 p.m.: Virtual technical assistance workshop (pre-registration required at least one business day prior to the workshop date; applicants are strongly encouraged to attend.) Register here.
- Dec. 1: Letter of Intent due by noon.
- Dec. 8: Application due by noon.
View complete details and the full notice of the grant opportunity here.