Thanks to over $28 million in American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grants, the Cambridge Housing Authority is breaking ground on over $75 million dollars in construction projects around the City.  With so much work on the horizon, demand for skilled trade workers is on the rise and CHA, with help from local unions, is using this opportunity to get residents trained and employed in the building trades.
 
CHA hosted the first of several Building Trades Information Sessions this past Saturday at its Washington Elms family housing development.  The purpose of the session was to introduce residents to the building trades and construction companies that employ them.  CHA’s long-term of goal is to get residents into apprenticeship programs, and eventually good paying, steady jobs.

“With this much construction activity happening, the stimulus gives us a once in a generation opportunity to connect residents with the trades. We’re hoping that these sessions will help our residents make connections that will lead to jobs, and we are thankful to all of the construction firms and trade unions who showed-up,” said CHA Executive Director Gregory P. Russ. 

CHA Board Commissioner and Massachusetts Laborers’ District Council Legislative Director Anthony Pini helped bring all of the parties together for the event.  “This is a great chance for the trades to work with the Housing Authority to provide training opportunities for residents and for the Housing Authority to get a good look at the trades,” Pini said. 

Over 15 trade unions and construction firms set-up information tables at Saturday’s session, which attracted approximately 70 CHA residents.  CHA hopes to host a second session later this winter.