PowerCorps Boston

The program is divided into two phases.

Phase 1: Foundations

A 4-month training (May to August) where members focus on workforce-readiness skills, are introduced to green industry careers, and are provided with support services necessary to complete the program. This phase combines soft skills training and environmental hard skills training that can be used for employment in the green industry and beyond.

Phase 2: Industry Academy

Members who complete Phase 1 advance to Phase 2, a 6-month training (September to March) where members will choose to specialize in one of the three tracks:

1. Urban Forestry: Members in this track will study arboriculture, including topics like plant and tree identification, invasive species removal and proper tree planting and pruning techniques. Members will also learn to operate power tools such as chainsaws and woodchippers.
2. Building Operations: Members in this track will learn about sustainable building operations and maintenance. Members will gain the skills to ensure buildings are running energy efficiently, while getting hands-on experience in the decarbonization of commercial size buildings.
3. Urban Greening: Members in this track will focus on green infrastructure, urban agriculture, effective stormwater management and the use of tools associated with this industry. Members will learn how to apply knowledge of stormwater management practices like bioretention areas, rain gardens, and vegetated swales in an urban environment.

To be eligible to join PowerCorpsBOS, you should:

• Be 18-30 years old
• Be a Boston resident.
• Have a high school diploma or HiSET/GED.
• Be unemployed or underemployed and not in college or on a career track.
• Have an interest in outdoor, hands-on training, and post-training job placement
• Be able to commit to the program schedule, Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM.

Priority populations include returning citizens, court-involved residents, youth who have experienced homelessness or housing instability, young people who have been in foster care, and other marginalized communities.