Mayor Michelle Wu was on hand to cheer the accomplishments of 29 young adults as they completed PowerCorpsBOS' third cohort, a green jobs program designed for workforce development. The initiative focuses on members of Boston's environmental justice communities, equipping them with knowledge and skills targeted at sectors addressing the city's most urgent environmental needs. According to a statement from Boston's official website, these avid learners have dedicated the past six months to understanding the ins and outs of urban forestry and energy-efficient building maintenance.
"This program provides crucial pathways through skills and job training to our young people - ensuring that our green workforce is accessible to all," Mayor Wu announced in a fervent statement celebrating the graduates, who have invested much to lay the groundwork for a cleaner and more resilient Boston. The program, led by the Worker Empowerment Cabinet in partnership with the Environment Department, pays participants aged 18-30 to undergo practical training while giving them career readiness support, as well as connections to employers in the green sector.
PowerCorpsBOS executive director Davo Jefferson boasted about the latest graduates' dedication, stating, "It has been a privilege to witness first hand the positive impact PowerCorpsBOS has had in changing the trajectory of the lives of Boston’s young adults." The program particularly reaches out to marginalized groups, and those from backgrounds of housing instability, foster care, and has been successful through collaborations with community and employer partners.
PowerCorpsBOS offers two specific training pathways: Urban Forestry and Building Operation Systems, created with inputs from Roxbury Community College and A Better City. Out of the graduates, 23 completed the Urban Forestry track, engaging in projects that included planting trees, removing invasive material, and even hours of chainsaw training. Graduates also spoke to 78 employees in the sector, a nod to the program’s commitment to melding theoretical knowledge with real-world experience. Six more graduates completed the Building Operations track, gaining certifications that set them at an advantage in the job market to tackle greenhouse gas emissions through efficient building maintenance.
Ricky Bradley-White, one of the graduates, told the official Boston website, “PowerCorps has been a life changer for me, and led me on a path to a bright future.” Echoing these sentiments was fellow graduate Daquan Dixon, who underscored the program's transformative impact on his potential. They herald the aspirations of PowerCorpsBOS as it aims to lengthen the duration of the program for an even more comprehensive training period, better preparing its participants for contributions to Boston's burgeoning green economy.
