A message from Jill Griffin, Director of Workforce, Diversity and Suppier Development: Congrats to the graduates of the Building Pathways Building Trades Pre-Apprenticeship Program!
- June 14, 2016
- by MGC Communications
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Recently, I along with other members of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission attended the graduation ceremony of the Building Pathways Building Trades Pre-Apprenticeship Program at the Joseph M. Tierney Learning Center in South Boston. Building Pathways is a 6-week training program that prepares qualified applicants for an apprenticeship in the building trades, which is the beginning of a career in building and construction trades. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is pleased to support this program and their dedication . The existence of programs like Building Pathways is the path to the middle class for people, such as minorities and women, who are not always afforded such opportunities for career advancement.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission looks forward to the growth and expansion of Building Pathways and similar programs that can effectively diversify the workforce.
The June 3rd ceremony saw twelve graduates of color including Ebony Flonary, the only female graduate of the graduating class. As a featured speaker during the ceremony, Flonary spoke of how meaningful and impactful the program has been on her life. Flonary called Building Pathways “a life-changing experience”. Tyrone Kindell, Jr., Project Coordinator shared her sentiments. A plumber by trade, Kindell, Jr. spoke of his dedication to the program’s graduated classes, past and present, and his desire to help others change their lives. Graduates also lauded Kindell, Jr. as a driving force in their success.
The Building Pathways program exists through grants from the U.S. Department of Labor and other organizations and through the collaboration of numerous partners. It is sponsored by the Building & Construction Trades Council of the Metropolitan District, the Boston Housing Authority, and Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD). Building Pathways also finds support from the Building Trades Training Directors Associations, local unions and joint apprenticeship training centers, as well as multiple construction and building trade employers.
The June 3rd Building Pathways graduates now have the chance to continue on a path that includes union membership and resulting opportunities, including construction on the incoming gaming establishments in Massachusetts. Laslty, I am pleased to report that I have been invited to serve as Building Pathways Building Trades Pre-Apprenticeship Program Advisory Committee member. I look forward to our ongoing collaboration on workforce development, diversity and inclusion!