How Union Apprenticeships Create World-Class Careers & Stronger Communities
In this episode of the Union Labor Advisory Network, host Mike Fina sits down with Dave Iannucci, Special Projects Coordinator and Accreditation Liaison Officer at the Eastern Atlantic States (EAS) Carpenters Training Center, for an inspiring behind-the-scenes look at how union training is shaping the next generation of skilled professionals.
This powerful conversation highlights the heart of union apprenticeship:
real education, real opportunity, and real careers — all while strengthening families and communities.
Watch the full interview: “Building the Future: Inside the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Training Center”
A Training Center Built for Real-World Success
From the moment you step inside the EAS Carpenters Training Center, it’s clear this is no ordinary classroom.
The facility is designed to replicate real job-site conditions, allowing apprentices to train safely while mastering the exact skills they’ll use in the field. Programs operate across eight locations in New Jersey and Philadelphia, giving students access to world-class instruction close to home.
Most apprenticeship tracks last four years, combining:
This structure ensures that apprentices graduate not only with knowledge, but with experience, confidence, and financial stability.
The Precision of Millwrights
One of the most impressive programs featured in the video is Millwright training.
Millwright apprentices learn to work within a thousandth of an inch of precision. This extreme accuracy is essential when installing turbines, conveyor systems, and heavy industrial equipment — where even the smallest error can have catastrophic consequences.
They master:
These are among the most technically demanding and high-responsibility roles in modern construction and industrial operations.
Multiple Trades — One Collaborative Mission
The EAS Training Center brings multiple trades together under one roof, creating a collaborative learning environment that mirrors real job sites:
Floor Layers
Install everything from industrial concrete and hardwood gym floors to soundproofing systems and detailed striping — even etching custom designs into surfaces.
Carpenters
Build and finish structural components, including wall assemblies, door frames, trim work, and custom construction projects.
Mill Cabinet Apprentices
Fabricate custom cabinetry and install their work on-site, simulating real residential and commercial construction projects.
Each space serves multiple functions, allowing apprentices to experience cross-trade collaboration while reducing operational costs as a nonprofit training organization.
Health, Safety & Innovation
Safety and innovation are central to every aspect of training.
Apprentices are taught critical protocols such as Infectious Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) — the same procedures used in hospitals to contain infectious diseases. Through simulated environments, they learn how to:
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Isolate work zones
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Manage airflow
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Prevent cross-contamination
These skills are increasingly vital in today’s construction, healthcare, and infrastructure sectors.
More Than a Job — A Life-Changing Career Path
As Mike Fina emphasizes in the interview, the EAS Carpenters Training Center doesn’t just teach technical skills — it creates life-changing career pathways.
Union apprenticeship builds:
“This is where futures are built — with precision, professionalism, and purpose.”
ULA Network: Proud to Support Union Labor
The ULA Network is honored to support organizations like the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters that invest in people, communities, and the future of American infrastructure.
Our mission is to educate, connect, and empower through storytelling, opportunity, and collaboration — ensuring that every individual understands the power of union careers, the dignity of work, and the promise of a better tomorrow.
Learn more about the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters:
https://hubs.li/Q03-gSSr0
Explore the ULA Network:
https://hubs.li/Q03-gRZH0
