DBEDC and LISC MA Announce New Partnership on Green Jobs Training Cohort

Boston, MA – December 4, 2024 – Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation (DBEDC) and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Massachusetts are excited to announce a new partnership aimed at creating career pathways in the growing green jobs market for Boston residents. Building on LISC’s current Bridges to Green Jobs program, DBEDC will host a workforce training cohort in Boston in February 2025.  

Bridges to Green Jobs is a two-week technical and soft skills training program launched in 2022. The program builds pathways to careers in the green energy and climate resiliency fields. The program is designed to equip individuals with the skills necessary to pursue wide-ranging and high-demand opportunities across the green industry, such as weatherization, HVAC, energy auditing, solar, and more. The DBEDC training hub is a part of LISC Massachusetts’ broader mission to create new hubs across the Commonwealth to widen industry access. 

Key Features of the Bridges to Green Jobs Training:  

• Paid hands-on technical training, essential job skills training, and career exploration in the clean energy field.
• Connection to employers and extended training opportunities, access to a financial coach, 1:1 and group check-ins for 12 weeks post-program, and financial support/incentives for up to the first 6 months in the field 

“We are thrilled to deepen our long-standing partnership with LISC Massachusetts to create pathways for our community members to access high-quality, well-paying careers in the rapidly expanding green jobs sector,” said Kimberly R. Lyle, CEO of Dorchester Bay EDC.

“The Bridges to Green Jobs initiative has a proven track record of success breaking down barriers to workforce development and preparing community members for viable careers in the state’s growing climate economy,” shared Gustavo Quiroga, Executive Director of LISC Massachusetts.

“At DBEDC, workforce development is more than just training and job placement—it’s about building confidence and connecting people to careers that offer growth and stability,” said Carolina Leins-Sultan, Director of Workforce Development at Dorchester Bay EDC. “We’re proud to partner with LISC Massachusetts to ensure that no one in our community is left behind in the transition to a clean energy economy.” 

“Bridges to Green Jobs started as an idea to help community members get a ‘foot in the door’ in the growing clean energy sector,” shared Silvana Bastante Muñoz, Program Officer at LISC Massachusetts. “Thanks to many participants’ and partners’ feedback, we have identified areas of success and of improvement, and how to keep building on the accessibility of these opportunities. Seeing it be replicated across Gateway Cities and expand through new partnerships, like with DBEDC, is a testament that innovative and people-focused programs like Bridges to Green Jobs are key to climate empowerment.” 

Quotes from Previous Bridges to Green Jobs Participants:  

“It was hard for me to find something that was permanent. [Now] I’m sharpening my skills and trying to be crew leader to earn more money and to get more knowledge; I love this work.” — Juan Wilkins, 2022 Graduate of LISC Massachusetts’s Bridges to Green Jobs program 

“What I really love and appreciate about Bridges to Green Jobs is the support. If I didn’t go through this program, I would have never gotten that job. Period.” — Jasmine Thai, 2023 Graduate of LISC Massachusetts’s Bridges to Green Jobs program

“And just coming from to this two-week program, I was already a step ahead of people who are coming in fresh, completely fresh… I feel like once I got into this space, my career path was pretty clear” — William Gomez-Pereira, 2023 Graduate of LISC Massachusetts’s Bridges to Green Jobs program

The next Bridges to Green Jobs training cohort will begin on February 3rd, 2025 and applications are now open. Interested participants are encouraged to apply early, as spaces are limited.

For more information about Bridges to Green Jobs, including application details and program eligibility, please click here. 

Bridges to Green Jobs Statistics: 

• 97% of graduates complete the program  
• 86% of graduates have interviews by week 3 
• 76% of graduates obtained jobs 
• $850 average weekly starting pay 
• Participant age range:  18 – 55