Workforce Development

Trainees learn fundamental construction skills at Brightline’s free job-readiness training program, Construction on Ramp (COR).

Brightline partners with local activists, government officials, and industry representatives to create job training programs that provide a pathway for underserved communities to earn well-paying jobs and benefit from sustainable development. These on-the-ground programs complement our policy and advocacy work on local hiring processes. They help community members gain new, marketable skills and provide an opportunity for industry leaders to contribute to local job growth while building a strong talent pool for their businesses.

We started our work in Local Hiring by helping craft construction hiring policy in San Francisco and, in tandem, developing the Construction On Ramp (COR) program. This training program enables local community members to fill new job opportunities created by the local hiring policy by connecting graduates to the City’s pre-apprenticeship program, CityBuild Academy. This policy is celebrated as one of the most successful programs in the country. We are now working in coalition with labor leaders to help underserved communities prepare for jobs in offshore wind development and other emerging green economy jobs across the United States.


Learn more about our recent workforce development and job training programs:

CONSTRUCTION ON RAMP

LOCAL HIRING

 

Construction on ramp

Our Construction On Ramp (COR) partnership is an example of how linking job training and hiring opportunities, coupled with smart Local and Targeted Hiring policies, can help create equity for frontline and local communities.

COR is a free job readiness training program that introduces high school and transitional aged youth to the construction industry. A critical piece of the emerging green economy, the construction sector includes jobs ranging from installation to manufacturing of technology such as offshore wind turbines and solar, and is likely to expand as these industries grow. COR participants gain the knowledge, experience, and professional skills to enter and succeed in the construction sector and benefit from expected growth in these new industries. 

Any San Francisco resident ages 17-24 that is authorized to work in the US and has a GED or is on track to receive a High School Diploma is eligible. The program is led by four nonprofits focused on bringing economic opportunity to underserved communities: Brightline, Community Youth Center (CYC) of San Francisco, A. Philip Randolph Institute, and Mission Hiring Hall, as well as the City’s pre-apprenticeship program, CityBuild Academy (CBA).

If you or someone you know is interested in exploring their career options after high school, please fill out our interest form at https://forms.gle/w3YcwGQWMPJ7wK1E6 to register and receive information on our upcoming session will be from Monday, March 3rd, Wednesday, March 5th, and Friday, March 7, 2024.

What Do Participants Learn?

  • A broad introduction to construction trades and opportunities

  • Professional development through job readiness training

  • Entry-level hands-on construction training

  • Virtual reality construction modules on Oculus VR devices

  • How to reach their short-term and long-term career goals

  • Guest speaker panels from professionals in the industry and COR alumni who are in or graduated from CityBuild

Why Construction on Ramp?

  • Places participants on a sustainable path to good paying entry-level wages

  • It is a free opportunity to learn about the construction industry

  • Participants receive support with CityBuild Academy's rigorous application process

  • Participants learn professional development and entry-level skills

  • Eligibility to earn a $100 gift card for participants who complete the COR program, apply and interview with CityBuild Academy

 
 

Brightline’s Construction on Ramp program, Cycle 8

Local Hiring

As a part of our workforce development work, Brightline supports strong Local Hire and Targeted Hire policies that deliver generational benefits to low-income, disadvantaged communities through both policy work and service provision. Our Construction On Ramp (COR) program is an example of how creating strong program pathways, coupled with smart Local and Targeted Hiring policies, can create equity for frontline and local communities. Brightline is a longtime advocate of local hire and has shared its expertise to build workforce development systems and policies in San Francisco and beyond. Listen to our podcast episode on Local Hire!