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Our Mission

Building Pathways is a non-profit organization based in Boston that is dedicated to the recruitment, retention, and advancement of under-represented groups in the union building trades, particularly women, people of color, and young adults.

We approach our mission through an integrated supply and demand strategy which seeks to increase the pipeline of diverse workers in the building trades workforce, while ensuring that there are employment and advancement opportunities that lead to life long, family-sustaining careers.

To implement this supply-demand strategy, Building Pathways engages in 4 pillars of work:

Building Pathways offers apprenticeship readiness training to better prepare greater Boston area residents for apprenticeships in the building trades. Participants receive over 200 hours of free occupational and employability skills training designed to impart skills common for entry into all building trades. The pre-apprenticeship training program serves residents of Suffolk, Norfolk, Middlesex, and Essex counties.

Northeast Center for Tradeswomen’s Equity (NCTE): Our NCTE program is dedicated to educating women career seekers across Massachusetts about career opportunities in the building trades, dispelling the myth that women are not interested in working in the trades, and enhancing the visibility and advancement of active tradeswomen. For more Information, visit BuildALifeMA.org.

High School Road Show: Building Pathways conducts information sessions and participates in career fairs to educate young adults in local high schools about careers in the building trades. We also sponsor the MA Girls in Trades initiative to connect female students in Career Tech Ed programs across the Commonwealth with union apprenticeships.

Community Outreach: Building Pathways partners with community-based organizations, industry stakeholders and government agencies to educate community residents about careers in the building trades.

Building Pathways is the Massachusetts affiliate to deliver the RISE Up (Respect, Inclusion, Safety and Equity in the Construction Trades) Respectful Workplace Program designed to provide all workers and managers with the tools and support necessary to create and maintain a safe, inclusive and productive environment for everyone. The framework of the training is based on minimizing distractions and maximizing productivity, to ensure that all workers are welcomed and respected on the job site.

Building Pathways advocates for public policies and industry practices to ensure that diverse building trades workers receive equitable opportunities for employment. We provide technical assistance to public agencies, contractors and unions about local, state and federal laws that set hiring goals for women and people of color; serve on monitoring committees that oversee compliance with workforce participation goals; develop and share best practices for increasing the participation and retention of diverse workers; and promote regulatory and legislative solutions that lead to greater diversity, inclusion and equity in the building trades.

Our History

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Thanks for reaching out. Unfortunately, you are not eligible for the Building Pathways Pre-Apprenticeship Program, as we can only accept residents of Middlesex, Norfolk, and Suffolk counties. Check out our sister organizations across Massachusetts:

Building Pathways, Worcester-Fitchburg
Kelsey Lamoureux, Program Director of the Worcester Jobs Fund Central MA Workforce Investment Board
340 Main St., Suite 400
Worcester, MA 01608
Tel: (508) 373-7641
Email: Lamoureuxk@worcesterma.gov

Building Pathways South (serving Bristol and Plymouth counties)
Yvonne Tobey
Project Coordinator
Tel: (774) 238-1165
Email: buildingpathways.south@gmail.com

Community Works (serving Western MA)
Jeff Napolitano
Program Director
Tel: (413) 545-1472
Email: jjnapolitano@umass.edu
https://www.facebook.com/umasscommunityworks/