Signing ceremony during the second National Apprenticeship Week recognizes the expansion of the Apprenticeship model in Rhode Island and celebrates advancements of the year.

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) provides leaders in business, labor, education, community organizations and government an opportunity to celebrate advances within Registered Apprenticeship. For the second year, a presidential proclamation established NAW, providing apprenticeship sponsors the opportunity to showcase their programs, facilities and apprentices. Events during the week highlight the benefits of Apprenticeship in preparing a highly-skilled workforce to meet the talent needs of employers across diverse industries.

Governor Gina Raimondo proclaimed November 13-19, 2017 as Apprenticeship Week in Rhode Island in conjunction with NAW, and provided special recognition to Building Futures’ Apprenticeship Rhode Island effort for its role in developing innovative non-construction Registered Apprenticeships. Working in tandem with the Real Jobs RI team, the Governor’s Workforce Board and many others, Apprenticeship Rhode Island has combined post-secondary education with employment, leading to family sustaining careers and nationally portable credentials in multiple industries, such as Healthcare and IT.

“Governor Raimondo continues to recognize that employers are best suited to drive  the workforce development solutions they need, which is reflected by the strategic investments made by this administration’, said Andrew Cortés, Executive Director of Building Futures. “We greatly appreciate the Governor’s strong support and continued partnership with the Department of Labor and Training as we expand the use of Registered Apprenticeship to help residents and businesses of Rhode Island thrive.”

Pictured with Governor Gina Raimondo above  are (Left to Right) Andrew L. Cortés, Executive Director of Building Futures/Apprenticeship RI; Gregory Mancini Esq., Chair of Building Futures’ Board of Directors; Amy Weinstein, Employer Liaison at Apprenticeship RI; David Balasco, Senior Director, Government Relations at Lifespan; Jody Jencks, Director of Workforce Development at Care New England; Ken Richardson, Building Futures’ Board; Lisa Abbott, Senior V.P. of Human Resources at Lifespan; Sandra Powell, Building Futures’ Board; Scott Jensen, Director R.I. Dept. Labor & Training; Scott Duhamel of Building Futures’ Board.

2017 RI Apprenticeship Week Proclamation

Apprenticeship Rhode Island is an initiative of Building Futures, funded in part by an American Apprenticeship Initiative grant of the U.S. Department of Labor. In partnership with the RI Department of Labor and Training, Apprenticeship Rhode Island is working with employers, industry associations, and educational partners to design, register and launch new Apprenticeship programs to address employers’ workforce development needs.