Wentworth Institute of Technology & The Carpenters: A Joint Venture

In the fall of 2008, the New England Regional Council of Carpenters along with Wentworth Institute of Technology's College of Professional and Continuing Education launched a tailored program, which enables union carpenters to earn an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Building Construction Management in as little as two years.

The first class of carpenters graduated from the program in August 2010. In the short time since the program began, it has already expanded to allow union carpenters to pursue a Bachelor's Degree from the prestigious school.

Members of the Carpenters Union can find the admissions checklist for the Associate Degree in Building Construction Management here. You can also view the program’s curriculum (PDF) by clicking here.

If you would like to speak to someone directly about the program, please contact Jacklyn Haas, Associate Director of Admissions, at haasj@wit.edu or 617-989-4258.

Reception for Wentworth graduates held at Carpenters Center

Reception for Wentworth graduates held at Carpenters Center

The New England Regional Council of Carpenters held a post-graduation celebration to recognize the twenty-nine union carpenters who graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Construction Management from Wentworth Institute of Technology.

The graduates and their families, along with representatives from NERCC and Wentworth, including Wentworth’s President Zorica Pantic gathered on the second floor of the Carpenters Center to celebrate the great achievement.

The twenty-nine carpenters were the first class to graduate since the NERCC launched this special program with Wentworth in the fall of 2008. The tailored program enables union carpenters to earn an Associate’s degree in Construction management from the prestigious school in as little as two years. The program gives members credit for completing a four-year apprenticeship in Massachusetts and could also give credit for other qualified classes members have taken.

NERCC Executive Secretary-Treasurer Mark Erlich spoke at the event about one of the goals of the program, which is to bring on-the-job field experience back in to construction management.

“What I think we have done with this program is combine the best of both worlds. The industry does need people who are educated, it’s no longer just enough to come out of the field and apply your experience of supervision, you have to have computer skills, budgeting skills, a whole range of skills. That, to me, is the ultimate goal of this program: to fuse the educational skills that Wentworth provides with the hands-on, real life, practical skills that you’ve learned in the field."


NERCC Executive Secretary-Treasurer Mark
Erlich and Wentworth President Zorica Pantic.

Erlich then congratulated the graduates. “My hat goes off to those of you who went through this program. This is not an easy program. Wentworth is a tremendously excellent educational institution and it is very demanding. They didn’t tailor their programs for us, we had to meet their standards. I want to congratulate and applaud you. Thank you all for what you do, because you are the future of the Carpenters Union.”

Following Erlich’s remarks, Wentworth’s President, Zorica Pantic, said a few words. “It is wonderful to be here and to see that the efforts that were started a couple of years ago came to fruition. In working with the Carpenters Union, we were able to develop a very demanding program and it is a great match between the needs of the carpenters’ profession and the practical education that Wentworth provides. We are very pleased, [the program] surpassed all of our wildest dreams.”

Boston Carpenters Apprenticeship and Training Director Ben Tilton individually recognized each graduate handing them certificates, along with Erlich and Pantic, to recognize them for their great achievement. A small reception followed the speaking program.

Outstanding Student Eamonn Murphy featured on Wentworth website

Twenty-nine union carpenters graduated from the Arioch Center at Wentworth Institute of Technology with and Associate's Degree in Building Construction Management (read more here).

Graduate Eamonn Murphy, a twelve-year member of Local 33, was recognized as the Outstanding Associate Degree Student for the 2009-2010 academic year.

"I am extremely honored to be recognized as the Outstanding Student," said Murphy. "As I look back, however, I realize that my fellow students are all outstanding students. We encouraged each other and worked together collaboratively in accomplishing this goal."

Murphy first joined the Carpenters Union as an apprentice in 1998. When the opportunity arose to enroll in the Construction Management program at Wentworth, Murphy was enthusiastic about being able to continue his training and further advance his career.

"Obtaining a Construction Management degree from Wentworth was the logical choice in expanding my knowledge of the construction industry, and the program certainly provided that for me."

Murphy, along with many of his classmates that just received their Associate's Degree will be continuing on in to the Bachelor's Degree program.

Wentworth ran a student profile of Brother Murphy on their website.

Carpenters Graduate from Wentworth Institute of Technology

The New England Regional Council of Carpenters (NERCC) is proud to recognize and congratulate the 29 union carpenters who graduate this Sunday with and Associate's Degree in Building Construction Management from the Arioch Center at Wentworth Institute of Technology.

This is the first class to graduate since the NERCC launched this special program with Wentworth in the fall of 2008. The tailored program enables union carpenters to earn an Associate’s degree in Construction management from the prestigious school in as little as two years. The program gives members credit for completing a four-year apprenticeship in Massachusetts and could also give credit for other qualified classes members have taken.

Members also receive reduced tuition rates and may be eligible for financial aid, as they are full-fledged students of Wentworth. In January 2011 the program will be expanded, giving members the opportunity to earn their Bachelor’s Degree.

The program includes classes that provide technical knowledge, such as physics, construction graphics, construction law, and economics as well as those that teach the critical skills needed in a more professional environment, such as writing composition; leadership and management; and introduction to computers. Classes are held both on campus at Wentworth and at the Carpenters Center (as seen below).



The program offers tremendous opportunity for members and will put some of the practical on-the-job experience back into construction management. This is a true testament to the dedication of the Carpenters Union to lifelong training, improving the lives of working carpenters and the entire industry.

Congratulations to the graduates!

Sean Abraham, Local 275
David Aldrich, Local 40
Jonathan Aprile, Local 33
Krzysztof Barcikowski, Local 67
Duane Bastarache, Local 107
Michael Biasella, Local 40
Brian Burrill, Local 218
Joseph Byrne, Local 33
Michael Cormier, Local 275
*Nicholas Cuzzupe, Local 33
Anthony Harrington, Local 107
Patrick Hartigan, Local 111
Kimberly Hokanson, Local 275
Thomas Holt, Local 107
Zachary Jonsson, Local 1305
Scott Knowlton, Local 218
David Kulikowski, Local 67
Aaron Lacombe, Local 1305
Daniel Lovendale, Local 424
William Lynch, Local 67
John McGillicuddy, Local 33
Steven Monteiro, Local 26
**Eamonn Murphy, Local 33
Colin Murphy, Local 33
Shakil Oba, Local 40
Kevin Reynolds, Local 33
Michael Ryan, Local 67
Nathan Silvaggio, Local 94
Andrew Wall, Local 107

*Alumni Award recipient – recognizing students who achieve the highest grade point average in the program. Brother Cuzzupe finished with a 4.0 GPA

**Arioch Center Outstanding Associate Degree Student Award winner for the 2009-2010 academic year