Edison, NJ, November 8, 2024 – Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical Centers (EASCTC) and Rowan University today announced a partnership that creates  a pathway to a bachelor’s degree in construction management. The agreement offers eligible members and apprentices expedited access and entry into Rowan’s online programs in construction management, including three stackable certificates.  Students can transfer up to 73 equivalent college credits depending on their trade program.

“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Rowan University, providing our union members with a unique and valuable opportunity to further their education,” said William C. Sproule, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters. “Through this collaboration, we are equipping our members and apprentices with both technical and academic training to meet the demands of today’s construction industry while preparing them for lifelong career advancement. Together, we are building stronger communities and a brighter future for our workforce.”

An EAS Carpenters Tech apprentice on the Carpenter Trade Track who takes two courses per term for all four years of apprenticeship would graduate with a bachelor’s in construction management, as well as receive certificates in construction management, project management, and construction leadership.

“Our partnership with Rowan University is a landmark achievement for us, as it not only provides our members with an affordable pathway to obtaining a bachelor’s degree, but also raises the bar for educational and professional standards within our apprenticeship program,” said Rob Smith, Executive Training Director for Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical Centers. “Our union apprenticeships and specialized training programs are designed to satisfy general education and elective requirements, enabling degree completion in as little as two years, with the potential for even quicker certification pathways. By offering unparalleled opportunities for growth and advancement, we are poised to shape the next generation of Union construction professionals.”

Rowan University’s construction management program is designed for apprentices, journeypersons, and seasoned professionals who are looking to develop the leadership and technical skills needed to plan, execute, monitor, and control the construction process. The construction management program at Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering offers nationally ranked education focused on innovative technologies and practices for local, regional, and global industries. The program’s courses are entirely online, providing flexible, affordable, and accessible learning tailored to adult students’ schedules, with weekly faculty interactions via web conferencing.

“We are building and expanding our partnerships with trades unions to provide stackable certificates and degree pathways, so their members have more opportunities to advance their careers,” said Rowan University Provost Tony Lowman. “There’s no need to choose between a trade or a college degree—we’ve designed a program that lets members pursue both.”

EASCTC offers four-year apprenticeship programs at seven state-of-the-art training centers equipped with cutting-edge tools and technologies across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, offering eight Department of Labor-certified apprenticeship programs. For more information about this program and the additional colleges EASCTC partners with, please visit https://www.eascarpenterstech.edu/partner-colleges/.

“This groundbreaking collaboration demonstrates the forward-thinking leadership of both the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical Centers and Rowan University,” said Robert Asaro-Angelo, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. “This partnership not only enhances educational opportunities for workers, but also sets a new standard for integrating trade skills with academic achievement, empowering our workforce for the future.”

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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.

About Rowan University

Since its founding in 1923, Rowan University has grown into a public research institution ranked  among the top 100 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Rowan offers bachelor’s through doctoral degrees and professional certificates, both in person and online, to 23,000 students. The university has earned national recognition for innovation and its commitment to high-quality, affordable education. Rowan is dedicated to economic development in the southern New Jersey community and nationwide by producing highly qualified graduates through its strong academic programs.