CFDA#
None
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Funder Type
State Government
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IT Classification
B - Readily funds technology as part of an award
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Authority
New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Summary
The purpose of the GAINS program is to promote the expansion and development of United States Department of Labor (USDOL) approved Registered Apprenticeship programs that drive economic development through skills and educational attainment and create pathways to better-paying careers and advanced credentials. Registered apprenticeships are high-quality, work-based earn-and-learn models that meet national standards for registration with the USDOL (or federally-recognized State Apprenticeship Agencies), resulting in a nationally recognized credential. More information on Registered Apprenticeship can be found here: https://www.dol.gov/featured/apprenticeship/faqs.
The GAINS program will provide New Jersey businesses/organizations or current registered apprenticeship sponsor in targeted sectors with support for new Registered Apprenticeship (RA) program development, or existing RA programs who seek to expand into new US DOL approved occupations. The GAINS program will encourage participation by providing a 50% wage reimbursement for the first 6 months of newly hired apprentices' employment, offset costs incurred for training the new apprentice, and to incentivize employers for hiring registered apprentices from pre-apprenticeship programs. Examples of training costs include: related classroom instructor costs, materials and supplies, supervision by a journey worker, etc.
This competitive program is being made available to accomplish any of the following primary goals:
- Establish new and expand on existing apprenticeship programs in NJ that are registered with the United States Department of Labor (USDOL), and are within occupations that are currently listed on USDOL's approved occupation list which can be found here: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/apprenticeship-occupations
- Establish apprenticeship programs in high growth occupations, sectors, or industries in New Jersey (NJ) as indicated below.
The NJDOL has established the following objectives for the GAINS program: Establish and expand registered apprenticeship programs in the following sectors:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Energy, Utilities and Infrastructure
- Financial Services/Insurance
- Information Technology/Cyber Security
- Healthcare
- Construction and Building Trades
- Educational Services
- Bio Pharma/Life Sciences
- Retail, Hospitality and Tourism
- Transportation, Logistics and Distribution
- Green Jobs and Renewable Energy
- Other Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) related sectors/occupations
- Public Service
- Early Childhood Education
Long Term Objectives:
- Support workforce development training initiatives to improve labor market deficiencies.
- Increase the number of Registered Apprenticeship programs in NJ.
- Increase the number of New Jersey state residents that are Registered Apprentices in NJ.
- Provide training that leads to certifications, licenses and/or college credits.
- Move workers from low skill entry-level positions or from industries directly affected by international trade or skill-biased technical change to full occupational proficiency.
- Provide greater employment opportunities for members of disadvantaged classes, unemployed/dislocated workers, students.
- Assist small businesses with developing quality training programs.
- Develop a highly-skilled workforce that possesses the skills and qualifications demanded by businesses in NJ.
- Increase the proficiency of NJ's labor supply with the goal of increasing wages in the state and making the state labor market an attractive option for out of state businesses to locate.
- Increase the number of professional credentials for residents in NJ.
- Increased employment opportunities for residents in existing or new apprenticeable industries.
- Recognition of Registered Apprenticeship as a key component of New Jersey's Workforce Readiness System.
History of Funding
Approximately $4,500,000 was available for funding in FY2019. 2019 awardees can be seen at https://www.nj.gov/labor/forms_pdfs/Programs/NGO/FY19/gainsfy19%20updatedgranteelistrounds1_3.pdf.
FY23 awardees can be viewed here: https://nj.gov/labor/assets/PDFs/Press/2024/FY24_GAINS-PACE_R1_Grantees.pdf
FY24 (Round 2) awardees can be viewed here: https://www.nj.gov/labor/lwdhome/press/2024/20240620_apprenticeship.shtml
Approximately $6,000,000 was available for funding for FY25 Round 2. Awardees can be viewed here: https://www.nj.gov/labor/assets/PDFs/Grants/FY25%20Growing%20Apprenticeship%20in%20Non-Traditional%20Sectors.pdf
Approximately $5,000,000 was available for funding for FY2026 Round 1.
Additional Information
Funding from the GAINS program are only available for applicants who are developing, or expanding upon, existing programs that are registered with United States Department of Labor and/or will be within the list of approved apprenticeable occupations. These occupations can be found here: https://www.doleta.gov/OA/occupations.cfm.
Grant funds provided through this program may not be expended for the following:
- Indirect costs (e.g. travel, meals, lodging);
- Pension and/or health benefits for part-time staff;
- Mileage and toll expenses for out-of-state travel;
- Overnight accommodations;
- Capital construction or renovation;
- Costs associated with preparing the grant application; and
- Costs of memberships in associations or organizations.
Eligibility Details
This competitive grant opportunity is open to the following entities who are developing new, or building upon existing Registered Apprenticeship programs:
- Any employer based in New Jersey or with a New Jersey Presence;
- Workforce Intermediary Sponsors;
- Employer / Trade Associations
- Any labor organization which represents workers in the occupation for which the apprentices will be trained;
- Labor/Management Partnership (public or private)
- New Jersey Local Education Agency (LEA);
- Public vocational schools within New Jersey;
- Two- and four-year institutions of higher education;
- Public or private non-profit 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;
- State, Local, County governments within New Jersey;
- Faith-based organizations; and
- Any other private educational or training entity that is on the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL).
*Please Note: This grant opportunity requires that the applicant be the sponsor of the Registered Apprenticeship program. The Registered Apprenticeship sponsor is the entity responsible for designing, executing, overseeing, and registering the program with the United States Department of Labor.
Deadline Details
Letters of Intent are to be submitted by April 10, 2026. Applications are to be submitted by April 17, 2026. Similar deadlines are anticipated, annually.
Award Details
Funding for this program is expected to be up to $6 million for FY2026 Round 2 and is contingent upon the availability of funds. The anticipated length of the contract period is 18 months unless otherwise extended or reduced at the discretion of the NJDOL. The contract period is expected to be June 1, 2026 to November 30, 2027. NJDOL seeks to fund multiple programs throughout the program year. Competitive proposals will have a maximum cost per head of $12,000 (divide total number served by the requested grant amount). Program budgets submitted as part of the proposal are not final until contract execution. NJDOL reserves the right to negotiate the costs of all training programs upon award selection. The payment structure for all contracts will be cost reimbursement. All participants as well as employer partners must be New Jersey residents or have a New Jersey presence.
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