For generations, young people have been told that success follows a single path: graduate high school, attend a four-year college, earn a degree, and then begin a career.
But for many students, that path isn't the right fit.
The reality is that success comes in many forms, and some of the most rewarding, impactful, and financially secure careers begin with hands-on learning, mentorship, and vocational education.
That message was reinforced during our recent visit to the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Training Center in Edison, New Jersey, where we sat down with Elliot Washor, Co-Founder of Big Picture Learning, an internationally recognized educational organization that has spent more than three decades helping students discover pathways that align with their interests, talents, and goals.
As Washor told us, Big Picture Learning has been around for 32 years, challenging traditional assumptions about education by focusing on one simple idea: every student deserves an opportunity to learn in a way that reflects who they are and what they aspire to become.
One of the most powerful aspects of the Big Picture Learning model is its emphasis on real-world experiences.
Students are encouraged to explore careers through mentorships, internships, and community-based learning opportunities while still in school. Rather than asking every student to fit into the same educational mold, the program helps young people connect classroom learning with real-life career pathways.
Whether a student is interested in engineering, architecture, healthcare, law, technology, or the skilled trades, they are given opportunities to learn directly from professionals working in those fields. We have seen the same spark in our own coverage, from high school carpentry classrooms to advanced union training floors.
This approach builds confidence, creates purpose, and helps students make informed decisions about their futures.
During our tour of the Carpenters Training Center, one thing became abundantly clear: these facilities are much more than training centers. As we saw in our feature inside the EAS Carpenters Training Center, they serve many roles at once:
Across North America, union apprenticeship programs continue to provide some of the most comprehensive workforce development opportunities available. Apprentices earn while they learn, receive world-class training, gain valuable certifications, and build careers that often include:
We broke down what that earning potential can look like in building wealth on a union wage. Yet many students and families are never fully exposed to these opportunities.
Standing inside the training center, Elliot Washor put it plainly: "They always call Big Picture Learning one of the best kept secrets. This facility is one of the best kept secrets. I mean, this is an incredible place. And where have you been all my life?"
The reality is that today's skilled trades professionals are builders, problem-solvers, innovators, leaders, and entrepreneurs. They construct the schools we learn in, the hospitals that care for our families, the infrastructure that powers our communities, and the buildings that shape our cities.
Give it a watch, then share it with a student, parent, educator, or mentor who needs to see it.
The future workforce will require a new generation of skilled professionals. As the latest national apprenticeship data shows, demand for trained workers keeps climbing across:
That means workforce development cannot begin after graduation. It must begin much earlier.
By introducing students to career opportunities during middle school and high school, organizations like Big Picture Learning and union apprenticeship programs can help young people discover meaningful careers before they ever enter the workforce.
Mentorship, exposure, and hands-on learning create opportunities that can change the trajectory of a student's life. When students can see themselves succeeding in a career, they become more engaged, more confident, and more motivated to pursue their goals.
At the Union Labor Advisory Network, we believe education should empower individuals to discover their unique talents and connect them with meaningful opportunities.
Our mission is to support, educate, and promote the people, organizations, and programs that strengthen the union labor community and create pathways to success.
We are proud to highlight innovative organizations like Big Picture Learning and the union apprenticeship programs that continue to invest in the next generation of workers.
Together, educators, labor organizations, training centers, employers, mentors, and community leaders can create a future where every student understands that there are many paths to success. That path might lead to:
Every young person deserves the opportunity to discover where their talents can thrive.
Because when we invest in education, mentorship, and workforce development, we are not simply preparing individuals for jobs. We are helping build stronger careers, stronger families, stronger communities, and a stronger future for all.
Supporting, Educating, and Promoting the Union Labor Community through workforce development, apprenticeship awareness, mentorship, career education, and community engagement.
Explore more of our work through the ULA Network, read our latest interviews and news, and sign up for the ULA Network newsletter to follow the people building the future.