For 18-year-old Katelyn Leppert, the future is already coming into focus. “In 20 years, I see myself as a strong union carpenter,” the recent graduate of Elmwood Park High School, said.
Leppert is one of 35 young adults who celebrated a major milestone on Aug. 6, officially graduating from the Carpenters Apprentice Ready Program (CARP) during a ceremony at the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical Center. The graduates are now set to transition directly into registered carpenter apprenticeships.
The graduation event highlights a successful collaborative effort between Big Picture Learning, the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (EASRCC), and the Carpenter Contractor Trust (CCT). The initiative is backed by Bloomberg Philanthropies as part of its $90 million national campaign to revolutionize how high school students prepare for high-wage, in-demand careers in the skilled trades.
- Hands-on Training: CARP introduces students to critical technical skills, including jobsite safety, construction math, proper tool use, and workplace expectations.
- Professional Readiness: Beyond carpentry basics, participants receive intensive training in resume building, interview preparation, and exam readiness.
- Direct Pipeline to Work: Graduates step straight onto live job sites equipped with safety certifications and a foundational knowledge of union construction standards.
Leaders from across the education and labor sectors praised the dedication of the 2026 graduating class, who completed the program across training locations in Edison and Hammonton, New Jersey.
“CARP gives participants the preparation and support they need to enter an apprenticeship, earn while they learn and build a meaningful career in the union construction trades.” — Anthony Abrantes, assistant executive secretary-treasurer, EASRCC said.
Elliot Washor, co-founder of Big Picture Learning, compared the energy of the graduation ceremony to an “NBA draft day,” emphasizing the power of early industry partnerships.
“These 35 graduates aren’t waiting for their careers to begin after graduation; they’re stepping straight into apprenticeships and a craft,” Washor noted. “That’s what the START Center model makes possible: schools, unions and industry coming together early enough that young people like Katelyn can see exactly who they’re going to become.”
With strong backing from labor-management organizations like the CCT ensuring a dependable workforce for signatory contractors, initiatives like CARP continue to secure a robust economic future for New Jersey’s regional construction industry.
