How Union Apprenticeships & Higher Education Are Coming Together

Building Pathways That Work: How Union Apprenticeships and Higher Education Are Coming Together

Left to right is: (NEIEP) Lester White, Head of Development -NEIEP, Brigid Flynn, Writing and Development Manager, NEIEP, David Coyner, VP of Academic Innovation and Online Partnerships and Carmel Senatz, Senior Consultant, Education Pathways for Union Labor & the Building Trades during the signing ceremony -photo credit : Rowan University

At the ULA Network and the ULA Network Charitable Foundation, we believe the future of workforce development lies in meeting people where they are — honoring hands-on skill, valuing lived experience, and removing unnecessary barriers to education and advancement. A newly announced partnership between Rowan University and the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP) is a powerful example of what that vision looks like in action.

This collaboration creates a clear, affordable, and accessible pathway for members of the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) to earn college credit for the apprenticeship training they are already completing — turning years of rigorous, high-skill learning into momentum toward a college degree or certificate.

Valuing Apprenticeship as Education — Because It Is

Union apprenticeships have always been among the most demanding and effective education models in the country. Through this partnership, IUEC members who complete NEIEP’s apprenticeship program can earn up to 45 college credits toward Rowan Online’s Bachelor of Arts in Construction Management or one of three undergraduate certificate programs.

That means:

• Less time to complete a degree

• Lower overall cost

• No duplication of learning already mastered on the job

Apprentices earn credits while they train, reinforcing the idea that workforce education and academic education are not separate tracks — they are complementary parts of the same journey.

As Rowan’s Vice President for Academic Innovation & Online Partnerships David Coyner noted, programs like this make education affordable, flexible, and relevant for working professionals — delivering learning where it’s needed most and creating real outcomes for students and families.

Education That Strengthens Careers, Not Pauses Them

For union members, continuing education often feels out of reach — not because of lack of ability, but because of cost, time, and rigid systems that don’t reflect the realities of working life. This partnership directly addresses those challenges by recognizing the value of structured apprenticeship training and translating it into academic progress.

NEIEP’s commitment to ongoing education ensures that members are not only technically elite but also equipped with leadership, management, and communication skills that support long-term career growth — whether on the jobsite, in supervision, or in broader industry roles.

This model strengthens:

• Individual career mobility

• Union leadership pipelines

• The overall quality and safety of the industry

A Model That Should Be Replicated Nationwide

This agreement follows Rowan’s recent partnership with Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons International Association (OPCMIA) and reflects a growing national recognition that alternative pathways are essential to building a resilient workforce.

At the ULA Network, we see these partnerships as blueprints — scalable, replicable models that other universities, unions, and training trusts can adopt to expand access to education without diluting standards or compromising excellence.

Why This Matters to Our Communities

When union members advance, entire communities benefit. These pathways:

• Keep education affordable

• Strengthen middle-class careers

• Support families without adding student debt

• Reinforce the dignity of skilled trades

They also send a powerful message to young people, veterans, and career-changers: there is more than one way to succeed, and union pathways remain among the strongest routes to stability, purpose, and opportunity.

The ULA Network’s Commitment

The ULA Network and our Charitable Foundation are proud to amplify and support initiatives like this — partnerships that recognize the full value of union labor, elevate apprenticeship as a gold standard of education, and create systems that work for real people.

As we continue to collaborate with unions, educational institutions, and workforce partners, our goal remains clear: support, educate, and promote pathways that build stronger workers, stronger families, and stronger communities.

This is what progress looks like when labor, education, and purpose align.

The ULA Network would like to thank our sponsors and supporters for believing in our mission to support educate and promote our union labor family and our communities. To learn more visit: https://www.ulanetwork.com/supporters