FDCCC New Board Member - Robert Smith

The Foundation of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Smith, Executive Training Director  at Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical College (formerly Northeast Carpenters Apprenticeship Fund & Carpenters JAC of Phila) to it’s Board of Directors.

When Robert was asked about his appointment to the board, he said “It is an true honor to join the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, with a shared vision and commitment to the fostering strong partnerships with responsible business partners, contractors & career education, will lead to future development of a skilled workforce that will only positively benefit our businesses and community growth”. 

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​Mr. Robert Smith, Executive Director, Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical College.
 
Lifelong Delaware County resident, Rob is a 1991 Graduate of Cardinal O’Hara High School and 1997 Graduate of the Philadelphia Carpenters Apprenticeship Program. 
 
A 30-year union carpenter.  Rob has worked on construction projects throughout Delaware County & Philadelphia as a Foreman, General Foreman, and Project Superintendent, most recently as Project Superintendent on the Fashion District in Philadelphia, Pa.  Previously, he worked for the Carpenters Joint Apprentice Committee of Philadelphia as an instructor, scheduler, and grant coordinator for 11 years. At the JAC, Rob created the Carpenters Apprentice Ready Program (CARP) through a collaborative effort with the General Building Contractors Association (GBCA) through a PA Workforce Development Grant. CARP's goal is to identify and train motivated females, minorities, and other Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Montgomery, and Philadelphia County residents that have existing barriers to employment in the building trades.
 
Classes prepare candidates to complete the intake process for the Carpenter’s Apprenticeship Program and to be successful as a Union Tradesperson in the field from day one.  CARP is a Pre-Apprenticeship program registered with the PA Department of Labor. 
Training Includes:
· Interview Skills, Resume Building, Job Search Skills
· Being Successful in Construction, through Attitude, Character, and Ethics
· Working with the Tools and Material - Shop Skills & Safety
 
CARP is now an established industry standard pre-apprentice program throughout the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council with cohorts in NJ, MD, DC, VA & PA.
 
In January 2022, Robert Smith became the first Executive Director, of the newly formed Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical College, the only US based accredited registered apprenticeship program, affiliated with the United Brotherhood Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBC). The Technical College currently consist of seven campuses located in PA, NJ & DE. Rob is responsible for the for successful daily leadership and management of the Carpenters Technical College, according to the strategic plan and goals set by its Board of Trustees. Carpenters Tech provides debt free trade education for over 2,200 apprentices and continuing education opportunities over 20,000 journeypersons, within the Southeastern PA, NJ, DE & MD region.
 
Rob resides in Aston, PA, and married to MaryAnne, an elementary teacher at St Francis of Assisi and a proud father of two boys Robert & Ryan. Robert is currently a first year Mechanical Engineering Major at University of Delaware. Ryan is a Junior at Archmere Academy. Over the years, Rob has been active in the community as a certified USA Hockey coach at Cardinal O’Hara, Neuman University, Haverford Hawks & Delco Dragons. As well coach for Aston Valley Baseball & St. Thomas CYO Basketball.

Visit https://www.delcochamber.org/foundation.html
to learn more about the Foundation of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce.