Woman and Minority Veterans in Construction Trades Program

The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) has announced the Fiscal Year 2026 Women and Minority Veterans in Construction Trades Program under the New Jersey Builders’ Utilization Initiative for Labor Diversity (NJBUILD). This program is part of NJDOL’s Office of Apprenticeship and Business Services. NJBUILD was established to promote training opportunities for women and minorities in construction-related fields, with state agencies contributing a percentage of large public construction contracts to support these initiatives. The FY2026 program focuses specifically on expanding access for women veterans and minority veterans to gain skills, credentials, and employment in the construction sector. The purpose of this grant is to connect women veterans and minority veterans—including those from the National Guard, Reserves, and transitioning service members—to pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship pathways, workforce readiness training, and direct employment opportunities in construction and building trades. Funding is designed to reduce barriers such as costs associated with training and supportive services, while also addressing workforce needs for contractors and trade unions in New Jersey. Applicants are expected to provide training, ensure industry-recognized credential attainment, and support placements with wages starting at $17 per hour or higher. The program objectives include engaging contractors to help shape training programs, delivering employability and occupation-specific training, ensuring credentials are earned, and facilitating quality placements into full-time construction employment or registered apprenticeships. Programs must demonstrate strategies to support retention at 30 and 60 days. Supportive services such as childcare, transportation, academic remediation, expungement services, and mentoring may also be included to ensure participant success. While not required, applicants are encouraged to use pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship models, particularly in high-growth fields such as clean energy, offshore wind, energy efficiency, and lead abatement. The total available funding is anticipated at $1,500,000 for FY2026, with a maximum cost per participant capped at $15,000. This includes allocations of $2,250 per participant for quality placement outcomes and $1,500 per participant for retention outcomes. Stipends of up to $250 per week per participant may be provided. Grants will follow a cost reimbursement model with benchmark payments tied to successful placement and retention. Contracts are expected to run for 18 months, from January 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Applicants must also submit sustainability plans for continuing operations beyond state funding. Eligibility to apply as the lead applicant includes a wide range of organizations with a New Jersey presence, such as employers, workforce intermediaries, employer associations, labor organizations, local education agencies, vocational schools, higher education institutions, nonprofits, workforce boards, government agencies, faith-based organizations, and entities on the Eligible Training Provider List. Applicants must have established partnerships with employers and/or registered apprenticeship sponsors to ensure program graduates transition into employment. Certain organizations that received FY2025 NJBUILD funding for Women and Minorities in Construction Round 1 are ineligible for this round. The application process requires submission through NJDOL’s online IGX system. Applicants must first submit a Letter of Intent by October 10, 2025, and then complete applications by October 17, 2025, both due at noon. Technical assistance workshops will be offered on September 17 and September 25, 2025, via Microsoft Teams. Required application components include program activity plans, statements of need, organizational commitment and capacity statements, training curricula, sustainability plans, tax clearance certificates, and letters of support from partners. Budgets must be detailed and align with the funding rules. Applications will be evaluated on program design, activity plans, organizational capacity, sustainability, partnerships, and budget alignment, with awards communicated within 45 days after panel review. All correspondence and questions should be directed to NJBUILDPrograms@dol.nj.gov.

Coordinate with One-Stop Career Centers, leverage WIOA funds, prioritize Registered Apprenticeship connections, demonstrate sustainability beyond state funding