R.I. awarded $5M to support ‘Real Jobs Rhode Island’ program

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT of Labor has awarded $5.25 million to Rhode Island to support the governor's
THE U.S. DEPARTMENT of Labor has awarded $5.25 million to Rhode Island to support the governor's "Real Jobs Rhode Island" initiative. / PBN FILE PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO

(Updated 2:19 and 3:50 p.m.) PROVIDENCE – The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded $5.25 million to Rhode Island to support the new “Real Jobs Rhode Island” initiative, according to the governor’s office.
Real Jobs Rhode Island, part of Gov. Gina M. Raimondo’s jobs plan, is designed to improve workforce training efforts in Rhode Island by aligning training efforts with employers and their specific needs.
‘Our focus is on getting Rhode Islanders back to work,” Raimondo said in a statement issued Thursday. “Real Jobs Rhode Island is a win-win. It will train Rhode Islanders so they can get jobs that actually exist, and it will make Rhode Island a more attractive place for companies to invest because they will have access to the well-trained workers they need.”
Raimondo, in a phone interview, said the grant is a “huge endorsement” of the state’s new approach to labor and training and workforce development.
She said state Department of Labor and Training Director Scott Jensen rolled out a similar program in Maryland that was successful there. Raimondo said the need for skilled workers is a frequent comment she hears from employers in all industries.

U.S. Sen Jack F. Reed said the grant will help realign education and workforce training initiatives with high-demand sectors. U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said the funding will help Rhode Islanders train for advanced manufacturing and technical jobs “that employers are eager to fill.”

“The Wall Street-driven recession left thousands of Rhode Islanders out of work through no fault of their own, and too many remain jobless even as our economy grows stronger,” Whitehouse said. “I’m very happy to see this funding coming to the Ocean State, where hard-working Rhode Islanders will put it to good use as we continue our recovery.”

The funds will be used to further develop the governor’s Real Jobs Rhode Island training initiative. This funding may also be used for other employer-driven priorities, such as Building Futures, a pre-apprenticeship training program supported by the governor’s Workforce Board that serves the needs of the construction industry.

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