Opportunity Overview
The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) has opened FY2027 Round 1 of the NJBUILD Women and Minorities in Construction Trades Program (WMIC). The program funds occupational-skills training, work-based learning, placement services and supportive services for women and minority New Jersey residents preparing for Registered Apprenticeship or full-time construction-related employment.
Funding and Deadlines
Up to $2,000,000 is anticipated for FY2027 Round 1. The anticipated contract period is 18 months, from January 1, 2027 through June 30, 2028. Competitive proposals may budget up to $15,000 per participant, including up to $11,250 in program development/training costs and $3,750 reserved for documented placement and retention outcomes.
A required Letter of Intent is due October 21, 2026 at 12:00 noon. The complete application is due October 28, 2026 at 12:00 noon through IGX. Technical-assistance sessions are scheduled for September 24 at 10:00 a.m. and October 6 at 1:00 p.m. The controlling NJDOL materials reviewed state these clock times but do not expressly identify a time zone.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible lead applicants include New Jersey employers, workforce intermediary sponsors, employer and trade associations, labor organizations and labor-management partnerships, New Jersey LEAs, public vocational schools and public high schools, two- and four-year institutions of higher education, public and private nonprofits, community-based organizations, local Workforce Development Boards, economic-development organizations, state/local/county governments, faith-based organizations, and other private education or training entities on the Eligible Training Provider List.
Applicants must demonstrate employer and/or USDOL Registered Apprenticeship sponsor relationships that can move participants into qualifying placements. Organizations that received FY2026 WMIC Round 1 or Round 2 funding, or FY2026 Women and Minority Veterans in Construction Trades funding, are not eligible for this FY2027 Round 1 opportunity.
Program Requirements
Programs must provide at least 30 hours of workforce-readiness instruction, at least 120 hours of occupation-specific construction training and at least 15 hours of job-shadowing, and must ensure each participant earns at least one industry-recognized credential. Qualifying placement outcomes include USDOL Registered Apprenticeship or full-time construction-related employment paying at least $17 per hour.
Pre-apprenticeship proposals must include at least one USDOL-approved Registered Apprenticeship sponsor. Pre-employment proposals must include at least one employer partner. Applicants must submit commitment letters for quality-placement partners and maintain participant case management, supportive services and 30- and 60-day post-placement retention tracking.
Education and Workforce Relevance
This is a strong New Jersey education and workforce-development opportunity for vocational schools, high schools, colleges, nonprofits and training providers with construction-trades capacity. Eligible occupations include building and construction trades, clean-energy and lead-abatement occupations, plus qualifying ancillary construction-industry roles. NJDOL also identifies students, including county vocational-school, K-12 public-school and postsecondary students, among target populations that may receive greater consideration when supported by a viable recruitment strategy.
N9+ / QC Healthcare Analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score: 86/100. The opportunity is highly relevant to school, career-technical-education and workforce-training organizations, but it is not a healthcare funding program.
N9+ Solution/Partner Fit: 0/100. Dr. Miltie Direct Vendor Fit: 0/100. QC Healthcare Fit: 0/100. The controlling NGO is limited to construction-industry training and placement outcomes and does not establish a defensible healthcare-device, clinical-service or QC Healthcare pathway.
Next Action
Eligible organizations should confirm that they did not receive disqualifying FY2026 NJBUILD funding, identify the qualifying pre-apprenticeship or pre-employment pathway, secure the required placement partner and commitment letter, register the Authorized Official in IGX, and submit the LOI by October 21 at noon.
Verified source: NJDOL FY2027 Round 1 Women and Minorities in Construction Trades Notice of Grant Opportunity and NJDOL Grant Opportunities page.