Building Pathways graduating class
Boston – Sixteen minority women and men recently graduated from the Building Pathways Program, and are on their way toward promising careers in the building trades. The program is an innovative pre-apprenticeship program that provides a pathway for low-income Boston area residents to attain a family-sustaining career in the construction industry.
The Building Pathways Program is made possible by the leadership of Boston’s Mayor-Elect Marty Walsh. Of today’s graduating class, 10 are women, and all are from minority
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The core elements of the program include extensive outreach and recruitment; a comprehensive application and assessment process; case management and support services; a six-week life/employment and occupation skills training course; and career coaching, placement and retention support. The program has achieved a placement rate of over 85%.
One of the goals of the program is to build a pipeline of new talent to replace an aging construction workforce and to meet labor demands for Boston’s recovering construction market. Another is to provide low-income Boston area residents with the skills and credentials needed to successfully enter apprenticeship – the gateway for employment in the construction industry.
“We are so proud of all of the graduates and so thankful to those involved in making this graduation and this program possible,” said Mary Vogel, Executive Director of The Construction Institute. “Ahead lies a promising lifelong career in the building trades, and we wish all of the graduates the very best.”
Building Pathways was established under a Project Labor Agreement between MBBTC and Ameresco, Inc., covering a $53 million green retrofit of BHA developments. The core partners brought together years of workforce development experience and talent in launching Building Pathways.
