East Orange, N.J. — In a significant move to promote workforce diversity and open up economic opportunities, the East Orange School District has been awarded a $443,464 grant from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL). This funding is designed to expand career training in the construction trades, focusing on women and minorities, and is part of NJDOL’s $1.9 million New Jersey Builders Utilization Initiative for Labor Diversity (NJBUILD) program.

The goal of the program is to provide pre-apprenticeship and on-the-job training opportunities to residents of New Jersey, especially those from historically underrepresented groups. The East Orange initiative, in particular, is set to train 30 individuals, offering them the skills and certifications needed to thrive in the high-demand construction industry.

“This grant is a transformative opportunity for our students,” said Dr. Dawn Stokes-Tyler, Project Director for the East Orange School District. “It not only prepares them for successful careers in the construction industry but also empowers them to break barriers and excel in a field where women and minorities are underrepresented. We are committed to ensuring that every student has the tools they need to thrive in the workforce.”

The NJBUILD program, which has seen $73 million invested in workforce development initiatives over the last six years, continues to break records for funding. In 2024 alone, NJBUILD awarded $8.5 million, with the focus on increasing access to union apprenticeships and skilled trade careers for groups historically underrepresented in these sectors.

Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo praised the program, stating, “By fostering a more inclusive workforce, we are ensuring that we are creating a fairer, stronger Garden State today and for generations to come.”

In addition to East Orange’s funding, other grant recipients in New Jersey include Pathways to Apprenticeship NJ, which received $600,000 to train 40 individuals, and the Elizabeth Development Company, which was awarded $537,280 to train 45 individuals in various trades such as electrical assistance, HVAC, and plumbing. Additionally, the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical Center secured $351,780 for training 25 participants.

Construction and trade careers are experiencing high demand across the state, and initiatives like NJBUILD are helping to bridge the skills gap while also promoting diversity and inclusion in industries that have traditionally been male-dominated. For East Orange, this program represents not just an opportunity for job training but a pathway for local residents to secure stable careers, contribute to the region’s economic development, and pave the way for future generations in the construction sector.

Local educators and workforce development leaders are optimistic about the program’s success. They expect that graduates will gain the necessary experience to enter apprenticeships, secure full-time employment, and ultimately help drive growth in the state’s booming construction industry. For many in the East Orange community, this grant will open doors to new career paths that offer long-term economic stability and professional advancement.

The NJBUILD initiative is reshaping the workforce landscape by making skilled construction jobs more accessible to a broader range of people, creating opportunities for economic mobility, and promoting inclusivity. This investment is expected to have a lasting impact on both the East Orange community and the state's growing construction sector.