NJDOL Announces $8 Million in Grants to Support Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship Programs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2025
TRENTON – The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) Office of Apprenticeship has announced a total of $8 million in available funding through the Growing Apprenticeship in Nontraditional Sectors (GAINS) and Pre-Apprenticeship in Career Education (PACE) grant programs to foster the creation and expansion of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs throughout the state.
Under the Murphy Administration, the state has invested more than $100 million through grant programs to create and develop work-based learning, pre-apprenticeship, and apprenticeship programs. This has supported the creation of 918 new Registered Apprenticeship programs in New Jersey– a 150 percent increase – and enabled 25,608 new apprentices to be onboarded since Governor Murphy took office in 2018. The state currently has 10,535 active apprentices in 1,529 programs.
“Apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs are key pillars in building a robust workforce and driving economic growth across the state,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “Through the GAINS and PACE grants, we are equipping our workforce with the tools needed to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving job market, while ensuring every New Jerseyan has access to quality employment opportunities.”
GAINS
Five million is available through the GAINS program, which provides funding to support the development of new and existing Registered Apprenticeship programs in high-growth industries, with a focus on equality of opportunity, upward mobility, and economic fairness.
Proposals must provide new apprentices with a starting wage of at least $18 per hour unless a lower rate is justified. GAINS funding can be used to offset the training and associated costs of new registered apprentices and to reimburse up to 50 percent of new apprentices’ wages for a maximum of $12,000 per apprentice over 52 work weeks.
Since Governor Murphy took office in 2018, $40.8 million in GAINS funding has been awarded to place over 5,500 Registered Apprentices into employment. This includes such occupations as K-12 Teacher Apprentices, Registered Nurse Residents, Home Health Aide (Dementia Specialists), construction-related trades, and many other occupations.
“The GAINS grant is a critical investment that allows Brookdale to strengthen and expand our teacher apprenticeship programs,” said David M. Stout Ph.D., President of Brookdale Community College, a GAINS grantee. “By supporting paid, on-the-job training in local schools, we are helping to build a more diverse and sustainable teacher pipeline that directly addresses the needs of New Jersey’s K–12 and Career and Technical Education (CTE) districts. This opportunity not only addresses the statewide teacher shortage but ensures future educators are deeply connected within the school communities they will ultimately serve.”
Key dates:
- October 23 and November 12, 1 p.m.: Virtual technical assistance (TA) workshops (pre-registration required at least three business days prior to workshop; applicants are strongly encouraged to attend). Register for October 23 , or November 12 .
- November 21: Letter of Intent due by noon
- November 26: Application due by noon
View complete application instructions and the full Notice of Grant Opportunity here.
PACE
With $3 million in funding available, the PACE program was developed primarily to promote equal opportunities, upward mobility, and economic fairness while helping to alleviate economic barriers that hinder upskilling.
PACE programs provide tools such as job readiness, essential skills, and occupation-specific training, and funding that can be used to offset participants’ related costs, such as childcare, transportation, and the attainment of a high school equivalency diploma or GED.
These programs must be partnered with at least one Registered Apprenticeship program sponsor. Together, the programs expand career pathways with industry-based training and classroom instruction, leading to better-paying positions and advanced credentials.
More than $22 million in PACE funding has been awarded throughout the Murphy Administration to prepare nearly 3,000 pre-apprentices to enter either Registered Apprenticeship, employment, or post-secondary education/vocational training.
“The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development PACE Program funding supported the official launch of the Students 2 Science pre-apprentice program focusing on laboratory and medical technicians and future educators,” said Chief Development Officer Dan Barnett of Students 2 Science, a PACE grantee. “Our pre-apprenticeship program provides immersive, in-laboratory learning experiences to support and prepare the next generation of STEM leaders. We look forward to growing the program and continuing our partnership with the NJDOL.”
Organizations funded through, or working in partnership with, the GAINS program are strongly encouraged to apply for PACE. The PACE program can provide a pipeline of candidates for Registered Apprenticeship programs funded through GAINS.
Key dates:
- October 2, 1 p.m.: Virtual technical assistance (TA) workshops (pre-registration required at least three business days prior to workshop; applicants are strongly encouraged to attend). Register .
- October 24: Letter of Intent due by noon
- October 31: Application due by noon
View complete application instructions and the full Notice of Grant Opportunity here.
See all available grants on NJDOL’s Grant Opportunities website.
For more information on the New Jersey Office of Apprenticeship, click here.