Boston is a city of opportunity, but those opportunities are too often out of reach for working-class residents and people without a college degree. The city’s building boom, growing biotech sector, and best-in-the-nation healthcare system all need skilled workers. High quality job training programs make sure Boston residents — especially those in neighborhoods like Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan — can access those jobs and build stable, well-paying careers here in Boston.

“I worked in the trades for over two decades before becoming an elected official. I know firsthand how a good job changes everything for a family. Boston’s economy should work for everyone — not just those with a college degree. I’ll keep fighting to make sure our residents get the training they need to succeed in our economy.” –Frank Baker

“Frank Baker has been a true champion for workforce development. Thanks to his leadership, Dorchester is now home to a first-in-the-nation life sciences training center that is opening doors for young people.” — MassBio representative at the Bioversity opening

Accomplishments

● Championed the Bioversity Life Sciences Training Center in Dorchester, training residents for high paying biotech jobs.

● Advocated for aggressive enforcement of the Boston Residents Jobs Policy to make sure Bostonians were first in line to be hired on construction jobs in our city. .

● Promoted vocational pathways by partnering with YouthBuild Boston and trade unions.

● Advocated for the city to build supportive housing at Quincy and Warren Street with attached job training program in conjunction with “The Popes Academy”

● Chaired the Council’s Jobs, Wages & Workforce Development Committee.

If Elected At-Large

● Expand job training centers into other neighborhoods, focusing on emerging industries like clean energy and life sciences.

● Push for greater city investment in vocational education and partnerships with Boston Public Schools.

● Strengthen enforcement of local hiring and equity standards on city-funded projects.

● Connect more residents to apprenticeships in the trades and union careers.

● Modernize BPS’s trade education so individual schools focus on a specific high-skilled trade, such as Brighton High preparing students to be plumbers and Holland Tech teaching advanced electrical careers.