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);
- Establish apprenticeship programs in occupations, sectors, or industries in New Jersey (NJ) which are not currently registered with the USDOL and are consistent with the strategic focus of this NGO.
The LWD 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
- Bio Pharma/Life Sciences
- Retail, Hospitality and Tourism
- Transportation, Logistics and Distribution
- Renewable Energy
- Other Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) related sectors/occupations
Long Term Objectives:
- Increase the number of Registered Apprenticeship programs in NJ;
- Increase the number of 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.
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;
- 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 (including Community Based 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;
- Workforce Intermediary Sponsors
Deadline Details
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Letters of Intent are to be submitted by October 21, 2019. Applications are to be submitted by November 29, 2019. Similar deadlines are anticipated, annually.
Award Details
Funding for this program is expected to be $3,000,000 for FY2020, and is contingent upon the availability of funds. The anticipated length of the contract period is 12 months unless otherwise extended or reduced at the discretion of the LWD. LWD seeks to fund multiple programs throughout the program year.
US DOL Registered Apprenticeship Program Development/Expansion Incentive
For new and expanding US DOL Registered Apprenticeship program applicants: GAINS funding can be used to reimburse employers up to 50% of new apprentice's wage rate of no less than $16.50 per hour, working a maximum of 40 hours weekly, and for a duration not to exceed 26 work weeks. New apprentice will be defined as a new hire with an effective start date of no earlier that notice of grant funding award. This amount may not exceed $8,000 per individual apprentice, or $80,000 in total wage reimbursements. Sponsors are free to distribute the incentive among as many individual apprentices as needed (e.g. $8,000 for 10 apprentices, $4,000 for 20, $2000 for 40 etc.).
For new US DOL Registered Apprenticeship program development applicants: The applicant will be required to provide supporting documentation, including a program budget, for all initial and anticipated costs associated with the development of a new registered apprenticeship program and related technical instruction. The sponsor/employer would be limited to a maximum amount of reimbursement based on the funding available. Administrative costs, consistent with 20 CFR 683.215, will only be reimbursable up to a maximum of 10% of final award amount.
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