Adult jobs & small business
Job training, placement and paid career programs for adult residents, plus support for local small businesses and vacant storefronts.
Residents consistently ask for practical job training, especially in trades and for immigrants, and for affordable ways to start and run small businesses.
Theme grouped and summary written with AI from this theme's resident ideas.
117 ideas across three cycles
| Cycle | Ideas | Share of all ideas | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | 36 | 2.9% | 15 of 20 |
| 2025–26 | 42 | 3.5% | 14 of 20 |
| 2026–27 | 39 | 2.9% | 15 of 20 |
Needs that keep coming back
Small business and entrepreneur support
Residents want grants, low-cost loans, mentorship, and free help with planning, permits and marketing, often aimed at people of color, immigrants and low-income owners.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Vacant storefronts and low-cost places to sell
Residents want empty retail space filled by local businesses, and cheap ways to sell, such as pop-up shops, markets, carts and subsidized storefronts.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Skilled trades training
Residents ask for training, workshops and apprenticeships in trades like plumbing, electrical, carpentry and construction as a path to stable work without a four-year degree.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Job and language training for immigrants
Residents ask for job skills, English classes and job-search help for immigrants and newcomers so they can work and support their families.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Job training and support for people returning from incarceration
Residents ask for vocational training, job placement, workshops and financial education for people leaving jail or prison.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26
2024–25
Re-entry was the standout, with about a dozen ideas on job training and placement for formerly incarcerated people, alongside small business grants and trades training.
2025–26
Ideas spread widely, with new asks for entrepreneurs over 50, business hubs, green jobs, AI training and subsidized storefronts, while trades workshops continued.
2026–27
Many short asks for computer classes and job opportunities, plus several ideas on worker cooperatives, immigrant job training, and pop-up markets and vending carts.
New in 2026–27
Worker cooperative grants and conversions of existing businesses, computer and AI skills classes, and low-cost vending, food truck and night market options are growing, along with requests for job help in Spanish and support for caregivers returning to work.
Funding so far
The 2025-26 winners funded ESOL and skills training for immigrants, trades training and small business technical assistance, but none addressed vacant storefronts and low-cost selling space, re-entry job training, or worker cooperatives.
Projects are linked to themes by matching each project's description to the themes; this is not an official City classification.
Immigrant Career Pathways: Bridging Language and Employment
2025–26 · $300,000
This proposal provides grants for ESOL classes combined with skills training and certifications.
Workforce Training Programs Focused on Trades
2025–26 · $300,000
This proposal provides grants to expand vocational training in trades with a focus on low-income residents.
Small Business Development Resource Program
2025–26 · $150,000
This proposal offers technical assistance in relevant subject matter areas to support small business entrepreneurship across Boston.
Departments that often lead this work
- Office of Workforce Development
- Office of Economic Opportunity & Inclusion
Suggested with AI; not an official assignment of responsibility.
Ideas in Adult jobs & small business
117 ideas
2024–25: 36 · 2025–26: 42 · 2026–27: 39
- Entrepreneur networking space in Codman SquareThe resident asks for a nonprofit space where entrepreneurs network and give back to Codman Square, supporting Black entrepreneurs and teaching ownership.2025–26Dorchester
- Promote short career training programsThe resident asks for more short career training programs so that the city has better-qualified workers.2025–26City-wide
- Support for people leaving incarcerationResident asks for help for people released from jail or prison, without specifying the type of help.2025–26East Boston
- Vocational workshops in carpentry, plumbing, electricalResident asks for vocational workshops in carpentry, plumbing and electrical work to promote employment for people of all races and sexes.2025–26East Boston
- Promote more job options for mothersResident asks for more employment options to be promoted for mothers.2025–26City-wideSubmitted in Spanish
- More job opportunities for residentsResident asks for more work opportunities for people.2025–26East BostonSubmitted in Spanish
- Fair jobs and improved safetyResident asks for more job sources with fair work and better safety so everyone, regardless of origin, has equal opportunities and lives with dignity.2025–26City-wide
- Blockchain and digital financial literacy educationResident proposes teaching young people about blockchain and crypto as digital financial literacy, to build wealth and advance equity in diverse communities.2025–26City-wide
- Protect small businesses from gentrification displacementResident asks for help keeping small local businesses, especially immigrant-owned stores, from being forced out by rising rents due to gentrification.2025–26City-wide
- Job search guidance programs for migrantsResident asks for programs that guide people on how to find employment, to help the migrant community looking for work.2025–26City-wide
- Green economy job training for residentsResident proposes training residents in skills for green economy careers, creating pathways to well-paying sustainable jobs while supporting climate goals.2025–26City-wide
- Entrepreneurship hubs for small business ownersResident asks for hubs offering free or low-cost business development, legal and financial counseling to help entrepreneurs, especially people of color, immigrants and women, start and grow businesses.2025–26City-wide
- Fund for Black community care and businessThe resident asks for a fund investing directly in care and business development for Black community members to create more equal access to funding.2025–26City-wide
- Funding for entrepreneurs aged 50 and overThe resident asks for funding to assist entrepreneurs and business owners aged 50 and older, who are often left out of funding because of ageism.2025–26City-wide
- Business funding and investment for seniorsThe resident asks for funding and business opportunities for seniors, who often lack grants that help them start or keep businesses.2025–26City-wide
- Dignified jobs for people with disabilitiesThe resident asks for decent job opportunities for people with disabilities to help them be more independent and secure.2025–26City-wideSubmitted in Spanish
- Business incubator and accelerator with mentorshipResident asks for an incubator program giving new business owners resources, mentorship and guidance through the steps to succeed.2025–26Dorchester
- Business career development center for entrepreneursResident proposes using a $2 million grant to buy vacant land and build a mixed-use business development and networking center to help lower-income residents and veterans start businesses.2025–26City-wide
- Work opportunities for people experiencing homelessnessThe resident asks that homeless people be allowed to work so that everyone can earn money.2025–26City-wide
- Career skills training including AI and leadershipResident asks for open-access training in in-demand job skills such as communication, leadership and AI, with real employers involved to help spot people who need hope.2025–26City-wide