Opportunity Partnership Grant

The Opportunity Partnership Grant (OPG) is administered by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) under the Workforce Development Partnership Program (WDPP), as authorized by state legislation. This state-level initiative is designed to facilitate occupational training for displaced or dislocated workers, aligning training efforts with New Jersey’s in-demand labor market needs. Its core mission is to support reemployment by funding training programs that equip workers with credentials necessary for full-time employment offering at least $18.00 per hour. OPG funding supports occupational training programs that culminate in industry-valued credentials or licensures, provided through eligible training providers such as Workforce Development Boards (WDBs), post-secondary institutions, and private career schools approved by NJDOL. Each training proposal must be tied to a specific employer-partner with job openings in recognized labor-demand occupations. Importantly, each application must focus on only one job title and one industry sector, with grant funds not to exceed $300,000 per application and a maximum of $10,000 per trainee. Training must be a minimum of 20 hours per week, and funds may cover all direct training-related costs, including books, testing fees, and credential costs. The program mandates a rigorous application process via the Intelligrants (IGX) system, including registration by an Authorized Official, submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI) by October 30, 2025, and a full application by December 17, 2025. Mandatory components include narrative responses on training plans, job placement strategies, performance metrics, budget justification, and employer letters of need. The application must also include specific attachments such as job descriptions, budget forms, and credentials of any third-party providers. Funding is performance-based, with incremental reimbursements tied to training benchmarks: enrollment, mid-point, completion, and job placement within 90 days of training end. To be eligible, trainees must be displaced workers as defined under WIOA or state law, identified and referred by One-Stop Career Centers (OSCC). They must have an approved Employability Development Plan (EDP/IEP) and cannot self-enroll. Employers are required to submit a signed letter of need, collaborate on curriculum design, and commit to full-time job offers post-training. The program encourages co-enrollment with WIOA programs and emphasizes employer engagement from training design through job placement. Applications are scored on criteria including demonstrated employer demand, training deliverables, performance outcomes, credentialing details, job placement plans, and budget reasonableness. Successful applicants will be notified by January 2026, and awarded contracts will run for 18 months. The grant is recurring annually, with the next expected cycle opening in August 2026. Reporting obligations include monthly dashboards, benchmark tracking, and a final close-out report.

Submit LOI early to avoid IGX delays; collaborate with WDB and OSCC before submission; emphasize job placement strategies and credentials; use approved ETPL providers only.