Ohio-based Tremco Construction Products Group recently graduated its first cohort of students from “Achieve Green,” part of the company-sponsored ‘Rising Stars’ program, which was created to provide avenues for young people to acquire skills needed for careers in green construction.

The students followed the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Apprenticeship Pathway. The group met the requirements of the IUPAT District Council 35 Boston and the Finishing Trades Institution of New England pre-apprenticeship program. Graduates include Raymondo Antoine, Chris Lewis Coppin, John Herrera, Jonathan Montiero, and Mhesaih Thompson; the five are now eligible to complete the final steps toward becoming apprentice glaziers.

“There is a critical need across our nation for skilled workers in the construction industry,” David Hutchinson, Tremco CPG’s Rising Stars program director, said in a June 14 news release. “Tremco CPG’s Rising Stars Program was developed in response to this issue and is proud to work with affiliate programs across the nation, including Achieve Green, to provide a viable pathway for young adults interested in learning a skilled trade.”

Supported by Tremco, the Rising Stars Program aims to develop a strong, well-rounded workforce in the construction industry by providing support to youth in vocational programs and minority- and women-owned businesses.

Its programs offer hands-on education with subject matter experts to develop diverse skill sets, increase access to resources, and ultimately drive success for industry graduates.

“Achieve Green is more than just workforce training for high school students,” said Adrianne Level, Boston Day & Evening Academy program leader. “It very firmly places our young people in a better position to succeed — providing opportunities to learn a skill that will open the door to steady, well-paying work in the years ahead. 

“The program helps them build an economically stable lifestyle, which ultimately creates the foundation for them to become responsible, contributing members of our community,” Level added.

Achieve Green is a Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Workforce Equity Grant program that aims to ensure equitable access to opportunities in green construction. 

The program provides two pathways for Boston Public School seniors to explore potential careers in the construction trade: the IUPAT Apprenticeship Pathway for glaziers, weatherization techs and turbine blade repair and the Energy Assessor/Auditor Pathway, a partnership with various Boston-area community colleges and the Northeast Home Energy Rating System Alliance.

“This program aims to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in the green construction sector by offering real-life pathways to employment to students from underrepresented communities,” said Alisha Harrington, deputy director of the nonprofit “Browning the Green Space.” 

“Through the MassCEC Workforce Equity Grant, we are able to bridge the gap between schooling and a career while connecting more people of color, especially young people, with the growing opportunities within the clean energy industry,” she added.

For more information, visit tremcocpg.com.