In a move to bridge the gap between vocational mastery and academic excellence, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Hudson County Community College (HCCC), and the NJ Administrative District Council of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC ADC) signed a landmark Letter of Intent (LOI) on April 23 to create a seamless educational pipeline for the construction trades.
The partnership establishes a first-of-its-kind “Apprenticeship-to-Degree” pathway, allowing union members to transition their rigorous technical training directly into a four-year degree program.
Under the new framework, apprentice members of the BAC ADC of NJ can apply their field experience and earned associate degree credits from HCCC toward a Bachelor of Science in Applied Engineering Technology or Construction Management at NJIT.
This “earn-and-learn” model recognizes the intellectual and technical rigor of modern apprenticeships as college-level learning. It is designed to allow workers to advance their education without having to step away from their careers on the job site.
“This partnership represents NJIT’s unwavering commitment to recognizing experiential learning and creating accessible higher education pathways for working professionals,” Teik Lim, president of NJIT said. “We are not just awarding degrees; we are empowering the workforce of tomorrow.”
The collaboration is a direct result of NJ Pathways to Career Opportunities, a statewide initiative led by the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development.
How the pathway works:
- Apprenticeship: Members complete related technical instruction (RTI) through the Bricklayers Union.
- Associate Degree: HCCC evaluates the union training and applies it toward an A.S. in Construction Management.
- Bachelor’s Degree: Graduates transfer seamlessly to NJIT to complete their B.S., gaining the engineering and management skills needed for senior leadership roles in the infrastructure sector.
The agreement comes at a time of rapid development in the Metro Newark and Hudson County regions. Leaders believe that aligning trade skills with advanced engineering study will strengthen the state’s workforce and support professional advancement for traditionally underserved workers.
“Today marks a major milestone for our members and our industry,” John Capo, director of the NJ BAC ADC said. “This partnership creates a clear pathway… allowing our members to advance without stepping away from their careers. We are helping to build a stronger, more skilled workforce for New Jersey’s future.”
The LOI was signed in NJIT’s Eberhardt Hall, a historic brick building dating back to 1857. The setting provided a symbolic connection between the enduring legacy of the trowel trades and the high-tech future of construction management.
By signing the LOI, the three organizations have committed to finalizing articulation agreements to make the transition into college study efficient and rewarding for union members.
