Building Pathways Boston

Building Pathways creates opportunities for low-income area residents, particularly in underserved communities, to access and prepare for building trades apprenticeships and family-sustaining careers in the construction industry. Through apprenticeship preparedness training, outreach to young adults, and advocacy, Building Pathways addresses the need to recruit top talent into the industry while opening career pathways to women, people of color, individuals with disabilities, and transitioning veterans. The Building Pathways Building Trades Pre-Apprenticeship Program was launched in 2011 by the Building and Construction Trades of the Metropolitan District (MetroBTC), to address the continued disparities in apprenticeship for women, people of color, and other under-served communities. In 2015, MetroBTC led the formation of Building Pathways, Inc., a nonprofit organization that now operates the Building Pathways pre-apprenticeship program. Building Pathways is a critical partner in building the construction industry’s workforce pipeline. Our pre-apprenticeship training program prepares under-represented, disadvantaged or low-skilled Boston metro area residents to enter a union apprenticeship program - an effective “learn and earn” model with a long history of providing career ladders and pathways to the middle class. Complementing our work preparing Boston area residents for successful careers in construction, Building Pathways promotes policies and practices that support Registered Apprenticeship and, in particular, increased access to construction careers for women, people of color, veterans, and people with disabilities. Through its industry-led, worker-centered, and community-focused approach, Building Pathways has grown into a nationally recognized model for addressing training and inclusivity in the industry, and providing the critical link between greater Boston’s diverse communities and access to family-sustaining careers.