NJ DOL Awards NJIT GAINS Grant

The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) has been awarded a $113,000 GAINS (Growing Apprenticeships in Nontraditional Sectors) grant from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) to establish two innovative apprenticeship pathways: Hardware Hacker and Healthcare IT Specialist.
Post Date: 
Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Newark, NJ — July 12, 2025 — The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) has been awarded a $113,000 GAINS (Growing Apprenticeships in Nontraditional Sectors) grant from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) to establish two innovative apprenticeship pathways: Hardware Hacker and Healthcare IT Specialist.

Through NJIT’s Learning and Development Initiative (LDI), the grant will fund a pilot program aimed at expanding non-credit, workforce-aligned learning opportunities for underserved communities. The initiative will partner with regional workforce development boards, CTE high schools, and One-Stop Career Centers to recruit ten participants for these registered apprenticeships. Apprentices will complete 2,000 hours of paid, work-based learning, while also earning industry-recognized credentials from technology leaders such as Microsoft and CompTIA.

"The LDI greatly appreciates the support from the NJDOL as we look to provide accessible, career-driven education" said Dr. Michael Edmondson, Associate Provost of Continued Learning at NJIT. "In LDI we're opening up powerful pathways for learners to achieve their career goals," said Kerry Eberhardt, Director of Learning and Development. "This apprenticeship program exemplifies that commitment, offering an invaluable opportunity to build high-demand tech expertise while earning a living. It's a direct route to a high-skill, high-wage career and sets a strong foundation for future education, including the possibility of pursuing a four-year degree."  

The initiative emphasizes diversity and inclusion, with targeted outreach to women and minorities in STEM fields. “Apprenticeships have high success rates because participants earn while they learn,” said Stefanie Toye, Associate Director for Workforce Development. “They receive on-the-job experience combined with classroom or virtual technical training.”

As a designated minority-serving institution, NJIT brings the expertise and community partnerships needed to support upward mobility through workforce innovation. These new pathways support fast-growing occupations in New Jersey’s IT and healthcare tech sectors and reflect the university’s commitment to experiential learning and economic equity.

To learn more about the GAINS grant, visit the NJDOL announcement here.