Mercer Times

The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) has recently awarded $7.9 million in grants to support apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs across the state. The grants were distributed through the Growing Apprenticeship in Nontraditional Sectors (GAINS) and Pre-Apprenticeship in Career Education (PACE) programs, aimed at fostering the creation and expansion of such programs.

According to Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo, apprenticeship programs benefit both businesses and their employees. He stated, "Through these programs, employers can build lasting talent pipelines and shape the skilled employees they need to stay competitive, while workers earn a wage along with acquiring advanced training to boost their careers."

The GAINS program, which received $5 million in funding, aims to develop new and existing apprenticeship programs in high-growth industries. Gabriela Timothy, founder and CEO of Learned Potential LLC, expressed gratitude for being a GAINS grantee, saying, "This incredible opportunity will propel us closer to our mission of empowerment through education."

The PACE program, on the other hand, received just over $2.9 million in grants to support pre-apprenticeship programs. Dr. Anthony J. Iacono, President of the County College of Morris, a PACE grantee, highlighted the positive impact of the grant on students, manufacturing partners, and the community.

Pre-apprenticeship programs funded through PACE aim to prepare participants for placement into a Registered Apprenticeship program or the workforce. These programs provide essential skills and occupation-specific training to create better-paying job opportunities for participants.

Overall, the grants awarded by NJDOL are part of a broader effort to invest in work-based learning, pre-apprenticeship, and apprenticeship programs in New Jersey. The state's commitment to these programs has led to the creation of 678 new Registered Apprenticeship programs and the onboarding of 17,454 new apprentices since Governor Murphy took office in 2018.

For those interested in learning more about the recent GAINS and PACE grantees, the complete lists can be found on the NJDOL website. Additional information on the New Jersey Office of Apprenticeship is also available for those seeking further details on these initiatives.