GBLC Futures Committee & MassCOSH's Pathways to Good Jobs

On Saturday, March 31, 2018  the Greater Boston Labor Council’s Futures Committee co-hosted it’s 4th annual “Pathways to Good Jobs” Event with MassCOSH’s Teens Lead at Work, at Madison Park Vocational Technical High School in Boston, MA.

The purpose of this event is to promote interest in good union jobs among high school-aged students and to build connections between young union members and youth in the community.  It was organized by Futures Committee Members from USW 9358, IBEW Local 103, Teamsters Local 25, and the Labor Guild.

During the first part of the day, youth participated in workshops facilitated by MassCOSH & the Urban League on labor rights and professionalism.  There was then a keynote address delivered by a motivational speaker and entrepreneur Jose Sierra.

During the last part of the day, there was a job and opportunity fair in which participants visited tables hosted by young members of the following unions and organizations:  IBEW Local 103’s RENEW Program, IATSE Local 11, Teamsters Local 25, Boston Teachers Union, Ironworkers Local 7, UNITE/HERE Local 26’s BEST Training Program, the City of Boston’s Office of Workforce Development, SEIU 32BJ, The Labor Guild, Teen Empowerment, and the Boston Student Advisory Council.

This year’s Pathways was our most well-attended yet, with over 75 high school students in attendance.  Many young union members enjoyed being able to share information about the benefits of working in a unionized job, and the type of training and education it took for them to get there and the youth had many great questions.

For more information about the GBLC Futures Committee, contact Vanessa Snow vsnow@gblc.us