Wednesday, 26 August 2026 04:05 PM
Partnerships
23 graduates earn OSHA 10 and CPR/BLS certifications to create expanded pathways to economic opportunity
BOSTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / August 26, 2026 / Bridge 2 Trades (B2T) recently celebrated the commencement of 23 graduates from its 2026 Boston Summer Cohort Thursday at the Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building. Graduates completed a summer of skilled trades exposure, job preparation, and professional development, earning OSHA 10 and CPR/BLS certifications while developing the practical and interpersonal skills needed to pursue careers in construction and the skilled trades.
Bridge 2 Trades was co-created by two leaders whose careers span professional sports, philanthropy, construction, workforce development, and economic mobility. Deatrich Wise Jr. is a 10-year NFL veteran, Super Bowl Champion, Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee and philanthropist who spent his career with the New England Patriots before joining the Washington Commanders. Taisha Crayton is a nationally recognized economic mobility and workforce development leader and former inaugural Director of Harvard University's Office for Economic Inclusion and Diversity. Together, the co-creators combine their platforms, expertise, and relationships to expand access to career and economic opportunities for young people.
"Talent is everywhere, but access and opportunity are not," Crayton said. "Exposure is only the beginning. We want young people to leave with the skills, credentials, confidence, and relationships to compete for opportunities, and to understand that a skilled trade can become a career, a career can lead to entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurship can lead to ownership."
Crayton's career has centered on creating pathways to economic opportunity. At the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM), she led processes involving contractor certification, access and opportunity, and compliance within public construction. She later oversaw economic inclusion efforts at Harvard University and the development of the Harvard Construction Academy, an initiative designed to strengthen access, readiness and opportunity within the construction industry.
Wise brings the reach of professional sports and a longstanding commitment to service. "Football has given me an incredible platform, but what matters is what you do with it," Wise said. "There are young people with tremendous potential who may simply need exposure, guidance and someone willing to open a door. We want them to know there is more than one path to success."
Throughout the summer, participants completed resume building, mock interviews, job-readiness preparation, and financial literacy education while strengthening communication, teamwork, professionalism and problem-solving skills. They gained hands-on experience with construction unions, participated in jobsite visits, received mentorship, and engaged directly with construction and skilled trades professionals.
The 2026 Boston cohort was supported by NEI General Contracting, a Boston area construction management firm which has routinely partnered with B2T to provide participants with access to industry knowledge, working professionals, and real-world construction environments. Founded in 1998, NEI specializes in affordable housing alongside commercial and healthcare construction, and has built its practice around community impact, workforce development, and partnerships with minority-owned subcontractors. Construction unions, instructors, speakers, employers, industry professionals, community partners and families also contributed throughout the summer.
"Programs like Bridge 2 Trades give young people the opportunity to see firsthand what a career in construction can look like," said Joe Rettman, President of NEI General Contracting. "We're proud to support these students, introduce them to the industry, and help create connections that can lead to real opportunities. Seeing 23 young people complete the program and earn these certifications is something everyone involved should be proud of."
During graduation, the Office of Massachusetts State Senator Liz Miranda presented official Massachusetts State Senate citations to all 23 graduates, recognizing their successful completion of the 2026 Boston Summer Cohort. For Wise and Crayton, graduation represents a beginning, as Bridge 2 Trades continues connecting young people with employers, unions, apprenticeships, education, mentorship and career pathways.
Crayton left the graduates with a challenge that captured the program's mission and the responsibility to carry opportunity forward: "You came here to cross a bridge, and now you became one. Go build. You Got Next."
Multimedia
Video - "Bridge 2 Trades Construction Site Tour": vimeo.com/user6008465/bridge2trades
Photography and video by Eights Digital. Photo credit: Paige Tolan.
About Bridge 2 Trades
Bridge 2 Trades is a workforce development platform powered by the Wise Up Foundation, co-created by Deatrich Wise Jr. and Taisha Crayton to expose, equip and connect young people ages 16 to 24 to careers and economic opportunities within construction and the skilled trades. Through industry partnerships, job-readiness training, certifications, financial literacy, practical and interpersonal skill development, mentorship, construction union hands-on experiences and jobsite exposure, Bridge 2 Trades helps young people translate potential into opportunity. Individuals, corporations, foundations and industry partners can support future cohorts by making a donation at www.bridge2trades.com.
About NEI General Contracting
NEI is a privately held company committed to affordable housing with extensive experience in ground-up, moderate rehab, elderly, veteran, historic rehab, historic tax credit and tax credit projects.
The company provides a full spectrum of general contracting and construction management services to clients throughout the United States. NEI has three regional offices, to help better serve its clients: Boston to serve the Northeast, Florida to serve the Southeast, and Texas to serve the Southwest.
Founded in 1998 on the principles of integrity and diligence, we have opened the door to over 37,000 newly homed and hopeful families, giving them a chance for a better quality of life. For more information, please visit www.neigc.com.
Media Contact
Jeff Lavery, Principal
Pedigree Public Relations
[email protected]
508.361.7539
SOURCE: NEI General Contracting