Scranton, PA, November 14, 2024 – The Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (EAS Carpenters Union), Keystone Mountain Lakes (KML) Lebanon Training Center, and Local Union 445 proudly celebrated their inaugural graduating class of the Carpenter Apprentice Ready Program (CARP) in Scranton, PA on Saturday, November 9, 2024. This milestone marks the successful training of five pre-apprentices, aiming to bolster regional workforce opportunities.

Started in 2016 in Philadelphia, the CARP program has grown across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. With its most recent expansion in Scranton, the eight-week program introduces pre-apprentices to the foundational principles of carpentry. It equips participants with the technical and practical skills needed to enter their local registered carpenter apprenticeship program. The curriculum covers an introduction to various carpentry crafts, including millwrighting, floor covering, and cabinet making. Additionally, it offers the opportunities to connect with contractors, enhance their resumes, and gain a comprehensive understanding of the trade.

“This graduation represents a significant milestone in our efforts to enhance membership diversity and provide regional opportunities for sustainable carpentry careers,” said Drew Simpson, Regional Manager at the EAS Carpenters Union. “The booming construction industry is driving a need for skilled professionals, offering promising job stability, competitive wages, and the chance to be part of transformative projects. CARP is just a first step to get there.”

The pre-apprenticeship program is at the forefront of broadening diversity within the local community by actively reaching out and encouraging participation from underrepresented groups, enriching the union’s membership and offering invaluable career opportunities in the trades.

“These local apprenticeships provide training, personal equipment, and teaching materials so we can kickstart the next generation of union careers in Scranton,” Scranton Mayor Paige G. Cognetti said. “Thank you to the members of the CARP and IBEW programs for continuing to offer career paths with high-earning potential and benefits that can support a family for a lifetime.”

“It was an honor to attend CARP’s first Scranton graduation and celebrate the remarkable achievements of the pre-apprentices,” said Kyle Donahue, Pennsylvania State Representative. “Programs like CARP are vital, as they actively empower local communities to secure sustainable living wages and uplift their economic standing. I look forward to seeing the impactful contributions these graduates will make as they advance in their promising carpentry career.”

“I’m proud to support a community program like CARP,” said Bridget M. Kosierowski, Pennsylvania State Representative. “These programs offer a solid pathway to uplift our local workforce and create valuable opportunities for residents to earn a living wage.”

“I joined the CARP Program because I have always wanted to work with my hands and be a part of the union,” said Orlando Cruz, a CARP Scranton graduate. “This program has given me an opportunity to join the workforce.”

For more information about the CARP program, please visit: https://eascarpenters.org/carp/

About The Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters

The Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters is a labor union that develops, trains, and empowers the hardworking men and women of the skilled construction trades. The EAS Carpenters Union has a strong presence in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia, overseeing 25 local unions representing over 42,000 professional construction craftsmen and women.