A Q&A with William Sproule

1. How does the EAS Carpenters’ apprenticeship and training program prepare workers to meet the growing demand for skilled labor on major transportation and infrastructure projects across Pennsylvania?

Our apprenticeship program is designed to produce highly skilled, job-ready workers. Through a combination of hands-on training and classroom instruction, apprentices develop knowledge in areas such as blueprint reading, concrete formwork, safety, and the latest construction technologies. This combination ensures our members are ready to deliver the high-quality work Pennsylvania’s infrastructure projects demand, whether it is highways, airports, bridges, ports, data centers, or power plants, today and for years to come.

2. Can you talk about the kinds of skills and certifications apprentices gain through the training center, and why those are critical for today’s infrastructure projects?

Our apprentices leave the program with a wide range of skills and nationally recognized certifications. They complete OSHA safety training and earn additional credentials in specialized areas such as scaffold building, welding, pile driving, and heavy highway construction. These certifications are critical because they keep workers safe, ensure projects meet the highest standards, and help deliver infrastructure that is built to last, whether it is a transit system, a shipping facility, or a power plant.

3. How does the union collaborate with contractors, project owners, and state agencies to make sure there’s a steady pipeline of qualified workers for Pennsylvania’s largest infrastructure jobs?

We work closely with contractors, project owners, and state leaders to understand upcoming projects and the skills they will require. These strong relationships enable us to adjust and expand our training programs, ensuring a steady pipeline of qualified workers. Whether it is highway expansions, bridge repairs, or major transit projects, the EAS Carpenters are prepared to deliver the skilled workforce needed to complete the job safely and on time.

4. Looking ahead, what role do you see the Carpenters’ Union playing in shaping the future of Pennsylvania’s workforce and keeping the state competitive in building and maintaining critical infrastructure?

We will continue to be a leader in workforce development. That means staying ahead of industry changes, adapting our curriculum, and making sure Pennsylvanians, especially young people and underrepresented communities, see the trades as a real path to the middle class. By doing that, we are not only building the state’s infrastructure, we are also building stronger communities and a stronger economy.

5. How does the Carpenters’ Union ensure opportunities in the trades are accessible to diverse communities, including women, veterans, and young people who may not be college-bound?

Making the trades accessible is really important to us. Through outreach programs, pre-apprenticeship initiatives, and partnerships with schools, community groups, and veterans’ organizations, we are opening doors for people who might never have thought about a career in construction. This is a career with dignity, growth, and stability for anyone willing to put in the work.

6. Why is workforce development in the trades not just an economic issue, but also a community issue?

When someone starts our apprenticeship program, they’re not only gaining skills but also building a family-sustaining career. That kind of opportunity strengthens families, creates safer communities, and boosts local economies with good middle-class wages. Workforce development is really about investing in people, and those investments benefit Pennsylvania for generations.