Newark Construction Training Gets $250K Boost for High-Paying Jobs

A $250,000 federal investment is set to transform Newark’s construction landscape, expanding the Urban League of Essex County’s Employment and Construction Trades Training Center. With this funding, the Urban League will advance its construction skills training program to support local residents.

U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-10th), a longtime ULEC collaborator, presented the league with the check in person on Wednesday. Commending the “great” and “hard work that [they] all do each and every day,” McIver vowed to continue supporting the Urban League in the years ahead, despite the Trump Administration’s sweeping federal funding cuts for nonprofits.

“So definitely the Urban League will be at the top of our mind as we think about next year’s funding,” McIver added. “Training and skill strength has been something we talked about as a city leadership for a very long time…and so that’s why I’m so grateful for this support and looking to see it and see it grow.”

Vivian Cox Fraser, the Urban League’s president and CEO, explained that the grant will enable the program to offer more hours of hands-on learning, helping trainees compete in the construction field. Through the program, trainees can earn industry-recognized certifications, equipping them with the skills and qualifications needed to secure successful jobs.

“So as we build housing…we incorporate those trainees into our projects, into our programs, because we want to have our world be their creative work. So it’s not just about getting somebody a job. We really wanted to be in the business of creating those job,” Fraser said in a statement.

This expansion marks a new chapter in a legacy that spans nearly 110 years. During that time, the Urban League has worked to help Black Americans and disadvantaged residents of Essex County achieve sustainable careers, as well as social and economic equity. The organization has provided early childhood education, financial coaching, homeownership counseling, and youth reentry programs, among others.

The construction program is one of the multiple education programs it has provided over the years. The Urban League teaches trainees to build and paint rooms, install plumbing, and erect walls, windows, and doors. Trainees also learn safety guidelines for construction work, including how to identify and remove lead paint from their homes.

While participants hone their skills at the training center, they get the opportunity to apply what they have learned in the field. They can go into other people’s homes and make repairs for individuals who are unable to do so themselves.

Joshcelynne Henderson, the Urban League’s lab program coordinator, vouched for the league’s empowering programs, having previously participated in its women’s construction training course. Henderson learned more about the dangers of lead paint poisoning, which has caused health and learning issues for people, including her son.

Thanks to the federal funding provided by McIver, Henderson stated that the Urban League will have more opportunities to train people to make home repairs they otherwise couldn’t afford.

“The Urban League provides the training to people that are interested, and…if they need a railing fixed or [an electric] socket…we’re able to teach them and also help them save a little bit of money,” said Henderson.

The Urban League’s training expansion comes at a time when skilled trades workers are in high demand in New Jersey, especially in the construction sector. According to a 2025 study by the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development, nearly 165,000 workers were hired by 22,600 construction companies in 2023, with Newark recording the highest employment. Compared with 2014, this report shows nearly 25,000 more people employed in construction in 2023.

As the Urban League continues to expand its services and training programs, its members have expressed gratitude for the public’s continued faith and support of their mission. They have also maintained their commitment to aiding New Jersey residents in areas that matter most.

“We’re here to respond to the needs in this community,” said Fraser, “and we say that we were built for a time like this. So it’s a hard time, but we’ve been here before, and we’ll get through it together.”