PHILADELPHIA – Today, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, Rebuild Philadelphia, Eastern State Penitentiary, trade union representatives, and community members gathered at Eastern State Penitentiary to celebrate 21 Philadelphia residents who graduated from Rebuild’s 2025 Skilled Trade Academies. The ceremony recognized graduates from the Carpentry, Cement Masons & Plasterers, and Masonry Academy – 4 to 6 week paid pre-apprenticeship programs designed to prepare participants for careers in the skilled trades.
“Today’s celebration represents exactly what we’re working to achieve in Philadelphia—creating economic opportunities that lift up our residents while simultaneously improving our city’s infrastructure,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “These 21 graduates aren’t just entering careers; they’re becoming part of the skilled workforce that will help build Philadelphia’s future. This is what it looks like when we invest intentionally in residents and our public spaces.”
Since its inception in 2019, Rebuild’s Skilled Trade Academies – part of the City’s Capital Program Office Workforce Development Program – have created pathways to the trades for more than 170 Philadelphians, with graduates working in eight union trades. Program offerings continue to grow in response to demand, including this year’s addition of the program’s first Cement Masons & Plasterers academy.
The success of the programs – with a 75 percent placement rate – is built on the City’s partnership with the unions, Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical College, Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1 PA/DE, and the Cement Masons & Plasterers Union Local 592.
“The success of these graduates shows what’s possible when we create genuine pathways to opportunity,” said Aparna Palantino, Director, Capital Program Office. “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. This isn’t just about jobs—it’s about creating generational wealth and changing the trajectory of families across Philadelphia.”
During the ceremony, graduates demonstrated skills acquired during their training and shared personal stories about their journeys. The academy program is designed to remove barriers through a comprehensive approach to training that includes hands-on skill-building, professional development workshops, construction site visits, and supportive services to ensure participants have the support they need to succeed both during the academy and afterward.
“When I first applied to the program, I thought it was a long shot that I’d get in,” said Meechi Stewart-Rice, 2025 Carpentry Graduate. “I’m proud of this work, and it’s something I’ll be able to show my kids and say, I did that.”
“We are so proud of our graduates,” said Liz Trumbull, Senior Director of Preservation and Operations for Eastern State. “Today marks not just their completion of the program, but a powerful step forward as they embark on their new career path. The skills and dedication they’ve demonstrated within these walls are a testament to the power of education and opportunity in shaping new beginnings, and we can’t wait to see the incredible work they will accomplish in the future.”
The graduation ceremony highlighted Rebuild’s ongoing commitment to creating new pathways for residents into the construction industry in Philadelphia. The program actively recruits participants from neighborhoods across the city, with a focus on engaging women and people of color who have historically been underrepresented in the trades.
The Workforce Development Academies are made possible through partnerships with Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, PA CareerLink®, and various trade unions, including the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical College, Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1 PA/DE, and the Cement Masons & Plasterers Union Local 592.
Rebuild is the City’s historic investment of over $500 million in neighborhood parks, recreation centers, and libraries across Philadelphia. Rebuild promises to acknowledge history, engage the community, and invest intentionally to uplift pivotal community spaces, empower neighborhoods, and promote economic opportunity through diversity and inclusion.
Carpentry, Cement Masons & Plasterers & Masonry Academies
Rebuild Philadelphia, Eastern State Penitentiary, Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical College, Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1 PA/DE, Cement Masons & Plasterers Union Local 592, Joseph Dugan, Windows, Repairs, & Restoration (WRR), PA CareerLink®, and PowerCorpsPHL partnered to run the 2025 Rebuild Skilled Trade Academies at Eastern State Penitentiary. The participants participated in 4 to 6 week paid training programs, including exposure to the construction industry, professional development workshops, construction job site visits, and hands-on restoration work at Eastern State Penitentiary.