Philadelphia's push to bolster its skilled workforce saw a significant milestone with Mayor Cherelle L. Parker joining forces with Rebuild Philadelphia for a unique celebration. The Eastern State Penitentiary played host to a historic event, the tri-graduation ceremony, which honored 21 residents completing pre-apprenticeship programs in carpentry, cement masonry and plastering, and masonry. According to the City of Philadelphia's recent announcement, these programs are set to seamlessly transition participants into substantial, career-oriented roles.
Since 2019, Rebuild's Skilled Trade Academies have been rigorously working to actively reduce barriers in employment and to provide over 170 Philadelphians with learning opportunities for jobs that promise economic growth. The placement rate currently stands at a robust 75 percent, evidence of the program's vitality, and this year's addition of the Cement Masons & Plasterers academy marks an enlargement based purely on escalating demand. Mayor Parker emphasized the significance of this initiative in a statement: "These 21 graduates aren't just entering careers; they're becoming part of the skilled workforce that will help build Philadelphia's future."
The programs are grounded in partnerships with organizations like the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical College, Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1 PA/DE, and the Cement Masons & Plasterers Union Local 592. These collaborations are crucial, offering applicants industry connections, training, and a chance to earn while they learn. Aparna Palantino, Director, Capital Program Office, in an interview, stressed the importance of the opportunities provided: “Many of our participants come to us having never held a power tool before, and they leave with marketable skills, industry connections, and a clear path to family-sustaining careers.”
At the ceremony, graduates got to physically demonstrate the skills they acquired and share tales of their personal journeys – a showcase not just of skill but of determination and transformation. It's also worth noting that recruitment has been intentionally broad, encompassing residents from across Philadelphia, and targeting women and people of color to promote diversity. "When I first applied to the program, I thought it was a long shot that I’d get in," Meechi Stewart-Rice, a 2025 Carpentry Graduate, told officials at the event. The program's dedication to equipping students with more than just technical skills, but also with professional development workshops and support services, is a testament to its mission of redefining futures.
Liz Trumbull, Senior Director of Preservation and Operations for Eastern State, praised the graduates, saying, "Today marks not just their completion of the program, but a powerful step forward as they embark on their new career path." The graduation represents a continuation of Rebuild's commitment to crafting entry points into a thriving construction industry, backed by partnerships with institutions like PA CareerLink® and representative trade unions. As Philadelphia forges ahead, its built environment stands as a living testament to the effort and expertise of its newfound craftsmen and craftswomen, a lineage of laborers tracing their legacy through the very stones and beams of their city.
