Rowan University, IBEW Local 98 announce education agreement to boost career advancement

Representatives from IBEW Local 98 in Philadelphia and Rowan University announced an innovative partnership Wednesday to enable apprentices at the electricians’ union to earn college certificates and degrees while they complete their training. The union accepts approximately 200 apprentices annually.

The partnership combines Local 98’s best-in-class technical training with Rowan’s expertise in teaching construction industry fundamentals, project management, planning and scheduling, and leadership skills.

Officials from Glassboro, N.J.-based Rowan and Local 98 in the Philadelphia Naval Yard said the certificate and degree programs in construction management will complement the required five-year apprenticeship that union members complete.

Through the new partnerships, apprentices will balance full-time work, union training and university courses through Rowan’s flexible online learning model, which accommodates learning during the day, at night or between jobs.

All offered fully online through the Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering, the programs include:

• three stackable undergraduate construction certificates
• a Bachelor of Arts in construction management
• two graduate certificates in engineering management
• a Master of Engineering Management (MEM).

The certificates are considered “stackable” because once students complete one or more, they may apply credits earned to the next, higher-level program.

Rowan’s construction management offerings have received the endorsement of the North American Building Trades Union (NABTU), a powerful voice in the educational advancement of trade professionals.

"This partnership with Rowan University marks a milestone moment for Local 98 and Apprentice Training (ATEI),” said Director of Apprentice Training Brian Myers. “It provides our members a unique pathway to a bachelor's degree, and for those who already have their degree, an opportunity to pursue a master’s degree from such a prestigious university as Rowan. The program is designed to include project management certificates, enhancing our members' resumes and career prospects. We believe this collaboration will elevate the educational and professional standards of our apprenticeship program, offering unprecedented opportunities for growth and advancement."

"These unique programs, designed specifically for the trades, promote and complement the long-standing success of the union's 'earn while you learn' model, providing Local 98 members with opportunities to advance in their careers," said Rowan Provost Tony Lowman. "No longer will individuals be forced to make a choice between pursuing an education or choosing a trade. Rowan University, in partnership with Local 98, will collaborate to ensure members' professional growth in their trade as well as completion of a college degree."

Rowan and union officials announced the new partnership during a brief ceremony at IBEW Local 98 headquarters, 1101 Kitty Hawk Ave., in Philadelphia. 

About IBEW Local 98: With more than 4,500 members, IBEW Local 98 serves the City of Philadelphia and the surrounding counties to provide best-in-class electrical training. Established in 1900, the union has evolved into a vast community of professionals advocating for electricians’ rights and providing comprehensive training. Representing a diverse workforce, Local 98 upholds values of solidarity and collective bargaining, committed to enhancing member lives and community welfare.

About Rowan University: Rowan University focuses on practical research at the intersection of health care, engineering, sustainability, science and business, while ensuring excellence in undergraduate education. A dynamic research institution, Rowan is one of two public universities in the nation to offer M.D. and D.O. degree programs and is developing New Jersey’s first veterinary medical school. Rowan’s commitment to collaboration is evident in its extensive partnerships with government entities, businesses and industry leaders worldwide.