from Food Delivery to foreman: How PowerCorps Boston is Cultivating a New Generation of Green Leaders
Boston, MA – Just 18 months after graduating from PowerCorps Boston, joshua Burrell-Thompson has achieved a remarkable feat: a promotion to Foreman with the City of Boston’s Parks and Recreation Department. His story is a powerful testament to the transformative impact of this innovative workforce development program.
PowerCorps Boston, spearheaded by the worker Empowerment Cabinet and the Environment Department, offers young adults aged 18-30 a unique pathway to careers in the burgeoning green industry. The 10-month program provides paid,hands-on training alongside vital career readiness support and direct connections to employers.
For Joshua, raised by his grandmother in Boston’s South End, PowerCorps arrived at a pivotal moment. “I came across PowerCorps-that was probably the best thing that coudl have happened to me,” he shared, having previously been focused on making ends meet through food deliveries and uncertain about his future.The program is structured around two distinct phases. The initial four-month “Foundations” phase focuses on building essential workforce skills – both “soft skills” like communication and teamwork, and “hard skills” relevant to the green sector. This is followed by a six-month “Industry Academy” where participants specialize in one of three tracks:
Urban Forestry: Covering arboriculture, soil science, tree stress, and pruning techniques.
Building Operations: A blend of collage-level coursework and on-the-job training focused on efficient building maintenance.
Urban Greening: Concentrating on green infrastructure, urban agriculture, and natural resource management.
Joshua chose urban Forestry, a field entirely new to him. “I think that’s why I wanted to try it. It was different,” he explained. Initially hesitant, he quickly found a supportive community and a renewed sense of purpose. “I was skeptical as I didn’t know anyone. But everybody there had their own mission. Mine was just trying to get to a better position in life.”
Beyond technical skills – learning to operate chainsaws and heavy machinery – PowerCorps instilled in Joshua crucial life skills.”In the moment, things might be frustrating, but there’s a bigger goal. That’s something PowerCorps helped me see,” he said, highlighting the program’s emphasis on resilience and long-term vision.
Davo Jefferson, Executive Director of PowerCorps, praised Joshua’s dedication. “Josh came to PowerCorps a bit rough around the edges, but he showed tremendous potential,” Jefferson stated. “He was ready to tap into that potential, and he worked hard to make the necessary personal changes and let go of old, bad habits. He followed that up by consistently showing up with a positive attitude…”
joshua’s rapid ascent to Foreman underscores the success of PowerCorps Boston in not only equipping young adults with marketable skills, but also fostering the personal growth and professional drive needed to thrive in a competitive job market. His story offers a compelling model for workforce development programs nationwide, demonstrating the power of investing in both skills and* people.
Keywords: PowerCorps Boston, workforce development, green jobs, urban forestry, Boston Parks and Recreation, job training, career advancement, youth employment, environmental jobs, Boston news.
