We have a new answer to the old question: College or the trades?
How about both?
In an era where more skilled workers are needed — and the desire to get a degree remains high — numerous unions and education institutions are partnering to achieve both goals.
Robert Smith, the Executive Director and Chief Administration Officer of the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical Centers, explains how.
“In New Jersey, the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical Centers are actively helping shape the education and workforce system by embedding training directly into the pathway from school to career,” he said. “Through partnerships with high schools, workforce boards, and colleges, we are creating clear, structured opportunities for students to get exposure to the trades earlier and transition into a registered apprenticeship.”
As for the college part.
“The Council on Occupational Education accredits our programs, which aligns our training with national education standards and allows apprentices to earn college credit through partners like Rowan University and Thomas Edison State University,” Smith said.
To be sure, it’s all about new-age training.
“We maintain key industry accreditations, including training aligned with the Global Wind Organization for offshore wind and the Association of Diving Contractors International for diver training, reinforcing the quality and relevance of what we deliver across the state,” Smith said. “At the same time, we are always pushing to stay ahead of where the industry is going. In New Jersey, that means investing in advanced training tools like virtual reality, simulation-based learning, and exposure to robotic and emerging equipment that our members will see in the field.”
The Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical Centers are one of many in the state. Here’s a look at a few of the others:
Rowan
Boilermakers Local 13
The groups have an agreement establishing a path through which workers can take discounted coursework leading to stackable certificates and/or bachelor’s or master’s degrees in construction management.
Rowan Vice President for Academic Innovation and Strategic Partnerships David Coyner said those credentials, which students may earn at their own pace and on their own time through Rowan Online, can provide invaluable options for skilled workers.
“These programs were created to provide options for tradespeople, many of whom, as they advance in their careers, seek a management position,” Coyner said. “By offering these programs to complement apprenticeship training at a discounted rate through Rowan Online, we hope to increase access so they are both affordable and convenient to complete.”
The university’s construction trade programs include three stackable certificates of undergraduate study, two graduate certificates in engineering management, a Bachelor of Arts in construction management and the Master of Engineering Management degree.
The partnership with Boilermakers Local 13 builds on a growing relationship between Glassboro-based Rowan and organized labor throughout the region. In February, Rowan partnered with North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) in an agreement that expanded career opportunities for members of 15 national labor organizations, 14 in the U.S. and one in Canada.
Rowan College at Burlington
LIUNA
This collaboration creates a direct pathway for LIUNA members, recognizing the value of their apprenticeship training while preparing them for continued career growth in the construction industry.
Under the agreement, eligible members receive up to 26 technical core credits for completing approved LIUNA apprenticeship and training coursework. Students may apply these credits toward RCBC’s Associate of Science degree in construction management, providing a streamlined path to a college credential.
By combining hands-on workforce training and academic advancement, the partnership empowers students to strengthen their skill sets, expand career opportunities and increase their value in a competitive labor market.
Thomas Edison State University
IUOE Local 825
TESU is now providing 52 credits for graduates of the IUOE apprentice program — meaning those who complete the program are halfway to a four-year degree at the school, which they can complete remotely.
Even better, the agreement recognizes anyone who has completed the apprentice program in the past 10 years.
The program is one of several TESU has with various trades in the state.
New Jersey City University
The BLOC Foundation
NJCU is partnering with The BLOC Foundation (Black Ladies of Construction) to launch a groundbreaking workforce development initiative that turns underutilized campus facilities into a launchpad for underrepresented women in the construction trades.
The agreement, finalized in late 2025, converts the former Jewelry Making Workshop in NJCU’s Visual Arts Building into a high-tech training center. The program aims to bridge the gap between manual labor skills and academic credentials, providing a seamless transition from the construction site to the classroom.
The BLOC Foundation will deliver a 16-week comprehensive curriculum designed to empower women—including those formerly incarcerated—veterans, and high school dropouts.
