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BOSTON - Friday,
September 10, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey today announced that the City of
Boston has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) inviting submissions from organizations to
provide training and placement services to prepare and connect Boston
residents to green and mobility job opportunities. The Janey
Administration, as a part of the FY22 Fiscal Budget, is seeking to provide
up to $1 million in direct grants to programs that are training and placing
individuals in green jobs and up to $500,000 in direct grants to programs
that are training and placing individuals in mobility jobs.
“We can mitigate the
climate crisis in Boston and revitalize our transportation system while
creating jobs, economic growth, equity, and mobility for our residents,”
said Mayor Janey. “As we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical
that we address pre-existing inequities that were barriers to economic
opportunity and climate resilience.”
The priority of this
RFP is to serve Boston residents seeking full-time (at least 30 hours per
week), permanent employment in positions with strong job prospects and
opportunities for advancement. Successful applicants will likely have
existing training programs that can be expanded with additional funding.
Training pathways should align with employer expectations and labor market
demand, with a strong preference for inclusion of industry-recognized
certifications. In addition, any proposed program must include plans for
outreach and recruitment, educational and career counseling, support
services, job placement, and post-placement/retention services.
Grants will be
between $50,000 and $250,000 and shall be completed by June 30, 2022.
Proposals are due no later than 4:00 p.m. on October 15, 2021 and must be
submitted with all relevant attachments through the Supplier Portal. Applicants must declare in their
application whether they are applying for funding for green jobs training
or mobility jobs training. Applicants may submit a separate application for
each of the funding sources.
“In Boston, we have
the obligation and the opportunity to address the climate crisis in a way
that creates jobs, transforms how we travel and reduces the rampant
inequities that many of our communities face,” said Reverend Mariama
White-Hammond, Chief of Environment, Energy and Open Space. “By fostering
green jobs, we can protect our planet and our residents who
disproportionately face the burden of climate change.”
Growing green jobs
fields include weatherization, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, engineering,
building operations, green stormwater infrastructure, or tree care and
horticulture. Mobility jobs include installation, maintenance, and stewardship
of streetscapes; site survey work; bicycle repair and maintenance; and
electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.
The following
principles will guide the prioritization of green jobs training
opportunities:
·
Just: The City will prioritize programs that
benefit environmental justice populations and increase economic inclusion.
·
Inclusive: The City wants to focus on both existing
workforce and pre-apprenticeship programs, particularly those that support
minority- and women-owned disadvantaged business enterprises, Boston’s
youth, especially Boston Public School students, immigrants, and returning
citizens.
·
Real: The City wants to support programs that
connect people directly to existing green jobs.
·
Additive: The City will coordinate with other
agencies to avoid duplicating initiatives.
·
Impactful: The City wants to focus investments on
pathways in mature markets with current job demand, to prioritize expanding
existing programs over creating new ones, and to make decisions based on
data and measure outcomes.
·
Sustainable: The City will prioritize programs that
align with our long-term City goals, specifically carbon neutrality and
climate readiness, and consider the long-term economic, environmental and
social sustainability of initiatives.
·
Transparent: The City will make the final investment
plan and information about the resulting investments public.
Funded programs are
expected to place at least 70 percent of all enrollees in jobs within
target occupations at an average wage of at least Boston's living wage
(currently $15.87 per hour as of July 1, 2021), with a preference for jobs
that offer employer-sponsored benefits, and are retained for at least 30
days.
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