November 23, 2011 (Boston) The first registered pre-apprenticeship program in Massachusetts held its first graduation.  Building Pathways, a Building Trades Pre-Apprenticeship Program, graduated 14 participants on November 18, 2011. 

The participants took part in a 7-week training program that included classroom and hands-on learning experiences to prepare them to enter an apprenticeship in the building and construction trades.

Participants had to be Boston Housing Authority residents or meet HUD Section 3 income requirements for low and very low income, as well as other criteria to take part in the program. Building Pathways is sponsored by the Boston Housing Authority and the Boston Building Trades Council and managed by The Construction Institute.

Trinh Nguyen, Boston Housing Authority Chief of Staff said, “It took about 300 people to make this program happen. The graduates are the first and now can champion and pave the path for hundreds of others to follow. The program may become a national model as we have been contacted by Housing Authorities across the US.”

Mary Vogel, Executive Director of The Construction Institute said,” We are so proud of the graduates and thankful for all of the people involved in making this graduation possible. Building Pathways is about increasing access and opportunities in the building tsades for BHA residents, women and people of color. The program is not about a job but a career path that can provide family-sustaining wages, and benefits for our graduates. “

Dave Wallace, Director of MA Division of Apprenticeship Training said, “I applaud all the graduates and your success will be looked at by many. A support system has been put into place to help you accomplish your goals and you can’t get discouraged so stay focused. “

Graduate Tyiesha Thompson, a single mother from Boston said, “I am a single mom and happy for this opportunity. What excited me about this program was becoming a part of a union which has a focus on safety and provides benefits and healthcare and the security I need in employment. I would like to become a leader in the union. I have learned the key to success is working hard.”

Sylvia Valez, also a single mother from Boston would like to become a plumber. Valez said, “I am so excited about this opportunity. I have always been interested in working in construction having done some construction jobs in the past, but I would like to enter into an apprenticeship with the plumbers because of the great training and benefits they provide.”

Building Pathways was established under a Project Labor Agreement between the Boston Building Trades Council and Ameresco, Inc. covering a $53 million green retrofit of BHA developments. The program is funded through grants from the Commonwealth Corporation and the Mayor’s Office, with additional financial support from Ameresco, the BHA and the Boston Building Trades Council.  A second training session is scheduled to begin in late February 2012.