Workforce Development

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Rhode Island Workforce Alliance
The RI Workforce Alliance advocates for local, state, and federal policies and investments that help RI workers and job seekers, especially those who are low-income or low-skilled, advance in the workforce and that help RI businesses better compete in today's economy.  The Alliance steering committee includes representatives from business, labor, providers, community, advocacy and policy organizations including:

Skills2Compete Campaign
The RI Workforce Alliance is the lead partner in the Skills2Compete-Rhode Island Campaign, part of a national effort to increase the skills of the U.S. workforce, which is led by The National Skills Coalition (www.nationalskillscoalition.org). The Skills2Compete vision: Every Rhode Island worker should have access to the equivalent of at least two years of education or training past high school – leading to a vocational credential, industry certification, or one’s first two years of college – to be pursued at whatever point and pace makes sense for individual workers and industries.  Every person must also have the opportunity to obtain the basic skills needed to pursue such education.

Adult Educator and Learner Consortium
The Adult Educator and Learner Consortium is a project of the RI Workforce Alliance. The Consortium was created to ensure there is a strong voice advocating for increased funding, improved public policies and a better infrastructure for the adult education system in Rhode island.  Adult educators and learners/students from across the state play a vital role in raising awareness about the importance of having effective federal and state policies that provide access to adult education programs. 

FACT SHEET: About the Rhode Island Workforce Alliance (5.17.10)
Learn more about the mission and goals of the Rhode Island Workforce Alliance

EVENT: Skills2Compete Day
Thursday May 20, 2010
2:30-4:30pm
State House 2nd floor
Adult education providers, students and representatives from Industry Partnerships will gather at the State House for Skills2Compete Day to raise awareness about the importance of adult education and job training programs. This event is hosted by The Rhode Island Workforce Alliance, which has adopted the Skills2Compete vision, that "Every Rhode Island worker should have access to the equivalent of at least two years of education or training past high school." Click here to view the event flyer. Contact Heidi Collins at 401-456-2751 or hcollins@ric.edu to learn more.

FACT SHEET: Skills2Compete: A Skilled Workforce is Key

FLYER: Skills2Compete: Promoting a Skilled, Productive and Prosperous Workforce

FACT SHEET: Middle Skill Jobs in Rhode Island: Growing Rhode Island’s Economy by Investing in the Forgotten Middle (5.10)

REPORT: Community College of Rhode Island: Building a 21st Century Workforce (4.10)
CCRI 21st Century Workforce Commission Report & Recommendations

REPORT: "Rhode Island's Forgotton Middle-Skill Jobs" (10.6.09)

PRESS RELEASE: "Middle skill jobs, the backbone of Rhode Island's economy, will account for 42% of jobs by 2016" (10.6.09)
For more information visit: www.skills2compete.org/RhodeIsland  

PHOTO SHEET: Skills2Compete Day 2009
In May 2009, The Rhode Island Workforce Alliance gathered with adult education and skills training providers and their students for Skills2Compete Day, an informational event held at the State House promoting the Skills2Compete concept to legislators and the community.  

TESTIMONY: Modification to the DLT Workforce Development State Plan to comply with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (posted 6.14.09)
The Poverty Institute has key suggestions regarding the proposed Modification to the Two-Year DLT Workforce Development State Plan.

MEDIA: "Progress, One Step at a Time" (Providence Journal, 2.28.09)
Mijanielle Achille says that the Genesis Center, an adult education program, is like a second home to her. The 40-year-old Haitian immigrant received job training, spruced up her English language skills and got help landing an internship at Rhode Island Hospital, ultimately turning that into a full-time job.

For more information about the Consortium or the Workforce Alliance, contact Heidi Collins at 401-456-2751 or hcollins@ric.edu.