Incentives for nontrade apprenticeships signed into law

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER Dominick J. Ruggerio said the legislation links Rhode Island with a national trend “utilizing a proven and effective training model – apprenticeships for nontraditional job skills.” / COURTESY R.I. GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SENATE MAJORITY LEADER Dominick J. Ruggerio said the legislation links Rhode Island with a national trend “utilizing a proven and effective training model – apprenticeships for nontraditional job skills.” / COURTESY R.I. GENERAL ASSEMBLY

PROVIDENCE – Newly signed legislation will promote apprenticeship training beyond mainstream trades like construction and plumbing into nontraditional ventures like manufacturing, information technology, design and management.

Senate Majority Leader Dominick J. Ruggerio, D-North Providence, said on Monday that this legislation links Rhode Island with a national trend “utilizing a proven and effective training model – apprenticeships for nontraditional job skills.”

“We need to make these very successful programs available in other fields, in new or innovative or growing industries that require highly skilled workers. We need to encourage companies in these nontraditional fields who might not be familiar with apprenticeships as a training mechanism in their industry,” he said in a statement.

The bills, which were sponsored by Ruggerio in the Senate and House Deputy Majority Whip Christopher R. Blazejewski, were signed into law by Gov. Gina M. Raimondo on Thursday. They direct the Governor’s Workforce Board to build a nontrade apprenticeship program and annually award funding to at least one new initiative on a competitive basis.

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Contingent on annual appropriations, the bill requires the GWB to establish a wage reimbursement incentive for each non-trade, enrolled apprentice. Said incentive would allow a participating business to be reimbursed up to 50 percent of actual wages paid to the apprentice or $1,000 – whichever is less. The maximum any one employer could receive within a 12-month period would be $5,000.

Blazejewski, D-Providence, said the legislation could be a draw for companies looking to relocate.

“Creating new mechanisms that help companies train employees will also make Rhode Island more attractive to businesses interested in expanding or locating here, encouraging job creation that benefits our residents,” he said.

The legislation was supported by the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council, the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association.

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