Thirty-five young adults were recognized on Aug. 6 by the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (EASRCC) for completing the Carpenters Apprentice Ready Program (CARP) during a ceremony at the EAS Carpenters Technical Center in Edison.
The graduation marks an important milestone in Big Picture Learning’s work with the EASRCC and the Carpenter Contractor Trust (CCT) to prepare students for union construction careers and help build the next generation of the skilled trades workforce.
Bloomberg Philanthropies supports the initiative as part of its $90 million national skilled trades initiative, designed to change how high school students prepare for and enter Registered Apprenticeships and high-wage, in-demand skilled trade careers.
Big Picture Learning is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming education through personalized, student-centered learning that connects young people to real-world experiences, careers, and community opportunities.
“This graduating class is a window into the future of our field,” said Anthony Abrantes, assistant executive secretary-treasurer for the EASRCC. “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. These graduates have demonstrated dedication, discipline and a willingness to learn that will set them up for success.”
CARP introduces participants to carpentry, jobsite safety, construction math, proper tool use, workplace expectations and the professional skills needed to succeed in a Registered Apprenticeship. The program creates pathways into the skilled trades while helping employers build a pipeline of highly trained workers.
The Carpenter Contractor Trust is a labor-management organization that connects the EASRCC’s workforce with qualified signatory contractors. CCT promotes the value of union construction and works with contractors, developers, community organizations and public officials to strengthen the regional construction industry.
“CARP helps ensure contractors have access to a skilled, safe and dependable workforce,” said Dan Wright, CCT Workforce Development coordinator. “By introducing participants to the high standards of union construction and preparing them for apprenticeship, we guarantee our general contractors that these local graduates, who are heading directly onto live job sites, are highly disciplined, safety-certified, and ready to produce from their very first hour on the clock.”
During the 2026 program, held in Edison and Hammonton, participants also received job-seeking training.
Participants in the Aug. 6 ceremony will enter registered carpenter apprenticeships. The EASRCC also recognized the instructors, contractors, community organizations, families and program partners whose support helped participants complete the program.