Rowan, Local 98 combine technical training with college classes to create new pathway for union apprentices

NEW JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — IBEW Local 98 and Rowan University are combining technical training with college classes to provide a new pathway for union apprentices.

Local 98’s apprentice technical training program takes five years to complete. Union members can sign up for a cohort to also earn college credits online during that time.

Rowan provost Tony Lowman says they can earn a bachelor’s in construction management and even a masters in engineering management with an extra year of school.

“The old model of ‘I’ve gotta decide, do I follow a trade or do I get a college degree,’ you don’t have to make that choice anymore. Now you can do both,” Lowman said.

Lowman says Rowan is providing scholarships on top of the assistance from Local 98 so the cost of the degree is next to nothing.

Local 98 says this will result in unprecedented opportunities for growth and career advancement. Rowan may enter additional trade partnerships if this one works as well as expected.