A paid internship designed to increase diversity in Greater Boston’s commercial real estate industry continues to gain momentum, with 18 local college students taking part in this summer’s program.

The Commercial Real Estate Success Training (CREST) program pairs women and students of color with local development firms, architects and general contractors as part of an industry effort to broaden its recruitment beyond friends and family connections.

“We all know the future is not white, it’s not male – it will be diverse,” Kevin Galvin, an executive at CV Properties and Accordia Partners, said in a statement. “So to be the best developer you need a diverse team and a diversity of ideas. This is why diversity and inclusion is central to the mission of Accordia Partners and why our commitment to the CREST program will continue through all of Accordia’s projects.”

Galvin’s uncle, CV Properties President Dick Galvin, founded a career academy in 2014 while developing the Aloft and Element hotels in Boston’s Seaport District. The program provided experience in the hospitality industry for students from University of Massachusetts-Boston.

Diversity consultant Milton Benjamin of KAGE Growth Strategies helped develop CREST, which was promoted by the Commercial Brokers Association/Greater Boston Real Estate Board, NAIOP-Massachusetts and the Urban Land Institute.

Since 2016, 90 students have completed the CREST program.