The Governor’s Workforce Board (GWB) presented a report on the state expansion of non-trade Registered Apprenticeship programs in Rhode Island for the Rhode Island Senate. The report describes remarkable accomplishments and lays out five opportunities to broaden the impact of apprenticeship for workers and employers.

View the Full Report

The GWB, the Department of Labor and Training, and Building Futures’ Apprenticeship RI initiative have coordinated our efforts to expand Registered Apprenticeship opportunities statewide.  

Apprenticeship RI – Strategic partnership of RIDLT and Building Futures charged with expanding Registered Apprenticeship as a resource for talent development and retention across multiple industries.

• 1080 new apprentices employed at 70 private companies and non-profit organizations
• 36 distinct new occupations now have a Registered Apprenticeship
• Technical assistance to private employers to develop and register new programs in industries like healthcare, IT, marine trades, manufacturing, and many others
• The largest single end-user of Registered Apprentice is now a healthcare employer
• Expanded use of Apprenticeship has created opportunities that did not exist four years ago, both for individuals to advance their careers and for employees to train and retain quality employees

From the Report:

“Importantly, a supportive ecosystem is being established to bring this work to the next level. Apprenticeship Rhode Island, a strategic initiative of the RI Department of Labor & Training (RIDLT) and Building Futures, continues to engage businesses and provide employers with essential technical assistance to help them maximize apprenticeship as a critical resource for talent development and retention.”

The GWB has put incentive programs to work at Rhode Island companies:    

• GWB Non-Trade Apprenticeship Development Program – provides up to $25,000 to cover costs of curriculum development, supplies and other expenses associated with developing Registered Apprenticeship programs.
  • 12 new Apprenticeship programs designed and registered in the last four years in new occupations
• GWB Non-Trade Apprenticeship Incentive – $1,000 per registered non-trade apprentice for the employer after the apprentice has completed their probationary period.
  • 130 incentives paid to 44 different employers

GWB Notes Further Opportunities to Expand Apprenticeship:

Continue to develop a youth apprenticeship model
Apprenticeship RI is a partner in the Prepare RI Youth Apprenticeship which includes work-based learning experiences for high school students in horticulture, medical, and manufacturing occupations.

Expand and enhance pre-apprenticeship opportunities

Commit new Apprenticeship development resources

Improve integration of Registered Apprenticeship with CCRI and other higher education institutions

Improve Coordination with One-Stop Career Centers (netWORKri)

The GWB recommendations provide a pathway to strengthen and expand on our shared success to expand the use of Registered Apprenticeship for Rhode Islanders and RI employers.

Read the Full Report