The Rising Stars Program, a nonprofit that aims to close the skilled labor gap by connecting young adults with career pathways in construction, announced a new partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston (BGCB). The organizations are co-launching Trade Trailblazers, an eight-week summer internship and career exploration program that is designed to introduce Boston teens to careers in the skilled trades.

Starting in summer 2026, Trade Trailblazers will provide students ages 17–18 with the opportunity to explore four to six different union trades through hands-on technical training, safety certifications and career readiness workshops. Each participant will select two trades for deeper exploration, building the foundation for a successful, long-term career while gaining the confidence, professional mentorship and credentials needed to take the next step.

Unlike traditional career exploration programs, Trade Trailblazers engages participants earlier—before many have even chosen a post-graduation path—to ensure they are better prepared and more informed about their options. By combining Rising Stars’ industry connections with BGCB’s strong community pipeline, the program will deliver real-world experience to students while also providing local trade unions and contractors with a diverse, well-vetted pool of young talent at a time when the construction sector faces a growing shortage of skilled workers.

“This new partnership is all about opening more doors for young people,” says David Hutchinson, executive director of the Rising Stars Program. “By teaming up with organizations like BGCB that share our vision, we can provide students with real opportunities to build meaningful careers—and help industries find the skilled workforce they need for the future.”

Expanding Boston’s Workforce Readiness Pipeline

For Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, the partnership represents a powerful expansion of its workforce readiness framework: a continuum of programs that connect academic learning to tangible career pathways. BGCB’s approach emphasizes hands-on learning, mentorship and exposure to high-demand industries that range from healthcare and technology to the skilled trades. Through its Trade Trailblazers program, the Rising Stars Program and BGCB will help ensure that Boston’s young people, particularly those from underrepresented communities, gain equitable access to opportunity and are positioned to contribute to the city’s economic growth.

“Trade Trailblazers is about creating access and confidence,” said Andrea Swain, chief impact officer at Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston. “When teens can see and experience what is possible in the trades, they begin to envision futures filled with stability, purpose and pride. This partnership with Rising Stars expands our ability to prepare young people for the workforce Boston needs, while giving them the tools and relationships that help them thrive.”