START
SKILLED TRADES
APPRENTICESHIP READINESS TRAINING
A partnership between the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters and Big Picture Learning to develop the next generation of skilled union tradespeople in New Jersey.
The Need
Unions and contractors are facing a RETIREMENT CLIFF
44+
years
average carpenter age
25%+
retiring in 5 years
29
years
average apprentice age
Less than 10%
of first year apprentices are ages 18-19
About the Program
From first exposure to union apprenticeship — statewide
Working with schools and organizations across New Jersey, this program exposes younger youth to the trades and prepares hundreds of older youth to enter union apprenticeships — during the school year and summer.
Grades 8 to 10
Exploration & hands-on experience
Younger youth explore a variety of trades through hands-on activities, building awareness and interest before committing to a path.
older youth
Formal training & on-the-job learning
Older youth receive structured instruction and real workplace experience with a direct pipeline into union apprenticeships.
Supported by
Carpenters Union and Big Picture Learning
Financial, instructional, and technical support is provided by the Carpenters Union and Big Picture Learning, a national leader in workplace learning for 30 years.
Programs
The first two programs of the START New Jersey project have completed!
The Summer 2026 CARP 311 Program (Carpenters Apprenticeship Readiness Program), and the
2026 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEPP) in Newark have graduated their cohorts of
youth whose ambition is a career in the trades.
Summer CARP 311
Five week training program
35 recent high school graduates from across the state
A select group of 35 recent high school graduates from across the state were selected to participate in a rigorous five week training program at the union’s training centers in Edison and Hammonton. They had to perform to professional standards of timeliness, teamwork, and skill development. Successful completion brought an invitation to become fully enrolled union apprentices with all the financial and career benefits that union membership provides.
All 35 youth completed the program, and 32 have begun their careers as union carpenters! Many of them have already been placed with contractors on the job.
Summer Youth Employment
24 Youth Summer participants
Newark, NJ Barringer High School
The carpentry component of the Newark Workforce Investment Board ‘s (WIB) Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) was held at Barringer High School under the guidance of carpentry teachers Ben Gualano and Jose Hernandez. Twenty four youth were placed with professional carpenters, doing real work, either at a union job site or with union carpenters maintaining the district’s facilities. Professional standards for timeliness, teamwork and skill development were essential for completion of the program, and enhanced consideration for union apprenticeships
A partnership between the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters and Big Picture Learning to develop the next generation of skilled union tradespeople in New Jersey