Open Letter: A New Way Forward for Career-Connected Learning in Rhode Island 

Employers, Educators, Funders, Civic Leaders: 

This week, we officially launched Springpod in Rhode Island—and with it, a new approach to helping students connect learning to real careers. 

Across our state, we hear two consistent truths: 
 
1. Students are eager to learn but unsure how school connects to the world of work. In fact, through SkillsRI’s PrepareRI program, we’ve seen first-hand the lack of knowledge students have in career pathways. Over 65% of our students list “undecided” as their top career choice.  
 
2. Employers need future talent that understands expectations, skills, and opportunity. 

Between those truths is a gap—not caused by a lack of effort or ambition, but by systems that have not kept pace with the world of work. Closing it begins with reimagining how learning connects to work. 

That belief is what brings Skills for Rhode Island’s Future and Springpod together—to partner with employers, schools, and communities to deliver virtual career-connected learning at scale. 

Strong academics open doors; career-connected learning shows students what is behind them. Virtual experiences help students connect core subjects to real careers, build confidence through application, and make informed choices about what comes next—while enabling employers to engage early, flexibly, and at scale.  

This approach works, and the evidence is clear. Springpod’s virtual work-based learning programs have supported more than 1 million young people, delivering over 4 million hours of high-quality career-connected learning in just the past few years. Before participating, only 1 in 2 students reported confidence in their ability to find a job in the future. After completing a program, 91% felt confident or very confident, and awareness of career pathways increased from 50% to 99%. These aren’t abstract outcomes—they represent students gaining clarity, confidence, and direction, and employers engaging meaningfully with future talent at scale. This is what happens when learning is intentionally connected to the world of work.   

We are grateful to our inaugural partners—Citizens, Gilbane, Brown University Health, General Dynamics Electric Boat, Rhode Island College, Johnson & Wales University, and NEIT—and to our funders and champions—U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, the U.S. Department of Labor, Electric Boat, and Citizens Bank—for making this work possible. 

But this is only the beginning. 

If you are an employer, your insight helps define readiness. 
If you are a school or district, career exploration belongs alongside academic learning. 
If you are a funder or civic leader, early exposure strengthens our workforce and economy. 

Ready to lead in career-connected learning? Join us and be part of what’s next. Click here to get involved. 

Nina Pande, Executive Director, Skills for Rhode Island’s Future 
 

Sam Hyams, CEO, Springpod