On April 6, »ĆąĎĘÓƵ (RCBC) and Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) signed a memorandum of understanding at the Folsom Training Center in Folsom, New Jersey, formally launching their new collaborative educational partnership.
The collaboration creates a direct pathway for LIUNA members, recognizing the value of their apprenticeship training while preparing them for continued career growth in the construction industry. Under the agreement, eligible members receive up to 26 technical core credits for completing approved LIUNA apprenticeship and training coursework. Students may apply these credits toward the college’s Associate of Science degree in construction management, providing a streamlined path to a college credential.
By combining hands-on workforce training and academic advancement, the partnership empowers students to strengthen their skill sets, expand career opportunities, and increase their value in a competitive labor market.
RCBC Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Dean Dr. Edem Tetteh, LIUNA Vice President and Eastern Regional Manager Michael E. Hellstrom, and New Jersey Construction Craft Laborers’ Apprenticeship Program Director Joseph A. DeMarco, all convened at the signing ceremony.
“By recognizing the real-world expertise LIUNA members bring to the workforce and translating that experience into academic credit, this partnership reflects Rowan College at Burlington County’s commitment to meeting students where they are,” said RCBC Acting President Dr. David Spang. “Together, we are expanding access to affordable, high-quality education while strengthening the construction talent pipeline that drives economic growth and opportunity throughout our community.”
For the three-year duration of the partnership, RCBC and LIUNA will work closely together to review program outcomes, student success, and respond to evolving industry needs–ensuring a high-quality, efficient educational experience.
“This partnership between Rowan College of Burlington County and the Laborers’ International Union of North America joins together two great institutions with a shared mission of supporting men and women in advancing their careers,” Hellstrom said. “The construction industry is constantly in a state of change as the introduction of new technologies and building methods makes lifelong learning not merely a desirable trait but an indispensable one.”
“With 25,000 members in New Jersey, the Laborers’ International Union of North America represents the construction industry in almost every sector of work in every corner of the state,” DeMarco added. “Thanks to the RCBC-LIUNA Partnership, we will deliver to members an accessible, affordable, and quality education that helps them build skills and advance their careers.”
Furthermore, upon acceptance, LIUNA members will receive in-county tuition rates, regardless of their county of residence, further increasing access and affordability. The partnership has the potential to reach an even larger population than those in New Jersey, as LIUNA represents approximately 500,000 members across North America.
LIUNA represents more than 25,000 construction workers in New Jersey and is at the forefront of the construction industry with a powerhouse of workers who are proud to build America. Through industry-leading apprentice and training programs, LIUNA opens the door to opportunity, helping apprentices and journey workers build skills and advance their careers, and providing employer partners with an essential resource that gives them a competitive advantage in the marketplace: a highly trained workforce. To learn more, visit the website or .
About RCBC’s Construction Management Program
RCBC offers career-focused pathways in construction management, including an Associate of Science degree and a 3+1 program that leads to a bachelor’s degree from Rowan University while paying RCBC’s affordable tuition rates for three of the four years.
Learn more:
â—Ź&˛Ô˛ú˛ő±č;rcbc.edu/construction-management/associate-science
â—Ź&˛Ô˛ú˛ő±č;rcbc.edu/3plus1/construction-management
For more information about the Construction Management program, contact the RCBC Admission Office.
