Woonsocket Radio News Room

RI Delegation Announces Over $3.7 Million Investment in Registered Apprenticeship Programs

Building Futures to establish a statewide registered apprenticeship hub to expand pathways to high-quality jobs

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation announced that the Department of Labor is awarding $3,777,153 to Building Futures, a statewide 501(c)(3) non-profit that works to leverage apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs as it expands pipelines to career opportunities for low-income communities of color. The funding is being drawn through the Apprenticeship Building America initiative, which supports public-private partnerships across 52 grantees in 32 states.

“This is another win for young people looking to earn while they learn, for employers who are looking to hire skilled, well-trained workers, and for growing the state’s workforce.  I am pleased to help deliver these federal funds to invest in building a strong workforce for Rhode Island.  Apprenticeships provide a proven pathway for workers to learn and lay the foundation for successful careers and this federal grant will help expand opportunities, enhance skills training, and eliminate barriers to employment,” said Senator Reed, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee.

“Apprenticeships are direct pipelines to well-paying opportunities in good careers,” said Senator Whitehouse. “This federal funding will provide a significant boost to the great work Andrew and the team at Building Futures do to help Rhode Islanders develop the skills they need for successful futures in the building trades.”

“There are many good-paying jobs that don’t require a four-year degree, and we need to invest in apprenticeships and job training programs to grow the middle class and support working people,” said Rep. Seth Magaziner, who is a member of the Congressional Apprenticeship Caucus. “Building Futures provides Rhode Islanders with the skills and hands-on experience needed for good-paying jobs, and with this federal funding, we can further support workers in the building trades and expand opportunities for people in our state.”

“Earlier this year, I was proud to welcome Vennicia Kingston — a woman of color, union construction worker, small business owner, and graduate of Building Futures — as my guest for President Biden’s State of the Union Address,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “Today, as we announce a federal funding award to expand the footprint and reach of Building Futures’ essential work, I’m thrilled it will help grow and diversify the ranks of our construction industry and other high-opportunity careers as Building Futures helps Rhode Islanders realize their aspirations.”

“Today’s historic investment in Registered Apprenticeships – the superhighways of our workforce infrastructure system – demonstrates the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to both America’s workers and employers,” said Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su. “This award, totaling more than $244 million, will help to expand, strengthen and diversify programs that aren’t just one-offs – they create a pipeline of workers with in-demand skills, connecting them with good jobs that create real security for workers and their families. This interconnected system will help to ensure that all communities benefit from the jobs created by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.”

“Building Futures is deeply appreciative of the leadership of each of the members of Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation and the US DOL,” said Andrew Cortés, President and CEO of Building Futures. “Establishing a statewide registered apprenticeship hub will expand opportunities for Rhode Island workers to benefit from earn while you learn employment in high-quality careers, including clean energy construction careers, new K-12 teacher registered apprenticeship programs, and diverse public sector employment opportunities from early childhood education to construction and maintenance-related positions. This project brings together a broad array of public and private partners to meet Rhode Island workforce needs and create pipeline programs to good jobs for underrepresented populations.”   

BACKGROUND

Building Futures is Rhode Island’s registered apprenticeship workforce intermediary that coordinates the public-private partnership with Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training to expand registered apprenticeship programs to new industries and employers and works in the construction industry, operating a nationally-recognized construction pre-apprenticeship program that connects adults experiencing poverty to careers that begin with registered apprenticeship in a building and construction trade.

Building Futures has expanded the use of Registered Apprenticeship to 83 new occupations in industries like health care and early childhood education, green and plant-based industries, fisheries and marine trades and many more. The construction pre-apprenticeship program has helped more than 430 low-income adults launch new careers as a building and construction trade apprentice. Building Futures’ construction pre-apprenticeship program serves a community of 100 percent low-income adults, 79 percent of whom identify as a person of color.