Skills for Rhode Island's Future | Jobs in Rhode Island

SkillsRI offers job search support, career enhancement services, and free training program opportunities to unemployed and underemployed Rhode Island residents.

SkillsRI Awarded $100K Grant by Microsoft

SkillsRI has been awarded a $100K grant by Microsoft to close the skills gap and upskill Rhode Islanders in the COVID-19 digital economy.

The grant will be used to provide access to free, digital learning courses across LinkedIn Learning, Microsoft Learn and GitHub as part of SkillsRI’s online education hub, Skills Academy, with the goal of helping people acquire the necessary skills to successfully navigate in-demand career paths.

Skills for Rhode Island’s Future (SkillsRI)—a nonprofit organization that connects unemployed and underemployed Rhode Islanders to job opportunities and sustainable career pathways—today announced $100K in grant funding from Microsoft. The funding will be used to expand access to digital skills-based learning resources through SkillsRI’s new online learning hub, Skills Academy, and help people who have been hit the hardest by COVID-19 related job losses navigate a career path to an in-demand role.

The funding is part of Microsoft’s worldwide initiative to help 25 million people acquire the digital skills needed to be successful in the digital economy as well as Governor Gina Raimondo’s recently-announced workforce development initiative for Rhode Islanders displaced by COVID-19.

“The workforce is in a massive period of digital transformation” said Nina Pande, Executive Director of Skills for Rhode Island’s Future. “COVID-19 has drastically impacted employment rates, and as we help get Rhode Islanders back to work, ensuring they have the digital skills that are quickly becoming the foundation of almost every in-demand job is critical. Our partnership with Microsoft will enable us to continue combatting employment barriers for marginalized communities and help people acquire the skills needed to build sustainable careers that support strong economic mobility and will lead to a more inclusive workforce.”

Leveraging global employment data, Microsoft identified the 10 most in-demand jobs in today’s economy, developing free learning pathways for people to take courses and earn a certification that maps back to these roles.  Learning pathways are available for the following career paths:

  • Software developer
  • Sales development representative
  • Project manager
  • Customer service specialist
  • Digital marketing specialist
  • IT support / Help desk technician
  • IT network administrator
  • Data analyst
  • Financial analyst
  • Graphic designer

In addition to the 10 learning pathways, Microsoft will also be offering two digital literacy courses that will serve as optional precursors to the pathways. Topics for these courses include “working with computers to create opportunity” and “working and collaborating online.”

“At Microsoft, we’re bringing every part of our company together to help Americans acquire the skills they need to fill 21st century jobs,” says Naria Santa Lucia, general manager of digital inclusion at Microsoft Philanthropies. “We’re excited to partner with the Skills for Rhode Island’s Future to utilize resources from Microsoft and LinkedIn to help people acquire the skills needed for in-demand jobs, helping Rhode Islanders get back to work.”

The 10 learning pathways and two digital literacy courses are available for free in English and Spanish starting today on Skills Academy, SkillsRI’s learning hub offering online courses, employer-sponsored training programs and workshops dedicated to upskilling Rhode Islanders and providing them with access to meaningful employment opportunities and upward economic mobility. Skills Academy users will have access to a career coach and those eligible for SkillsRI services will receive job placement support following the completion of their courses.

For more information and to get started today, visit academy.skillsforri.com.
To connect with a SkillsRI career coach today, email skillslearning@skillsforri.com.

2020 In Review: Skills for Rhode Island’s Future’s Impact

2020 has been an unprecedented year that has challenged every Rhode Islander. However, our challenges today will not prevent us from working towards opportunities for tomorrow.

We’re proud to have worked with the State of Rhode Island as well as hundreds of different employers, organizations, community partners and candidates to create a better tomorrow.

In 2020, our impact went further than our highest expectations…

Helping Rhode Islanders Get Back to Work

Partnering with the Department of Labor & Training, we launched a Back to Work portal where active job seekers could find immediate job and training opportunities and employers from around the State were able to post their open positions.

“I found SkillsRI on Facebook and decided to take a leap of faith. My recruiter, Carolyn, was incredible. She listened to my concerns and needs, and she gave me the ease and confidence to feel like I could move on from my previous job and that I had options to create a better life for myself. ”

-Cheri W., AAA Northeast

Over 475 High School & College Students Complete Rhode Island's COVID-19 Innovation Challenge

SkillsRI conceptualized, designed and launched an entirely reimagined high school summer internship program for 2020, the seven-week COVID-19 Innovation Challenge. Over $100,000 in scholarship dollars were awarded!

Rida J, PrepareRI High School Internship Program

“PrepareRI has really helped me develop skills that I don't get to develop at school. Working with a team and managing a corporation as the CEO was an incredible learning experience in terms of leadership and teamwork. I have also built amazing relationships with my co-workers, mentors, and supervisors…”

Jackson K., PrepareRI COVID-19 Innovation Challenge

"For me the Internship was a beautiful blend of work experience through exposure to real corporations and real problems and of character development though mentorships, reflection, and daily seminars in everything from "Failing Forwards" to Creativity. PrepareRI is so much more than just a summer job, it's a program that gives you skills and tools to forge a better future…"

SkillsRI Continued Breaking Down Barriers to Economic Opportunity

Average Wage Grows to $17.85/hr

Our agency is driven by a vision of Rhode Island where every individual has the opportunity to obtain economic mobility through meaningful employment, and in turn transform his or her life. 

We are proud to share that through our hiring and training partners, the average wage of a candidate who was placed through Skills for Rhode Island’s Future was $17.85/ hour. While there’s more work to be done, we’re trending in the right direction.

“Take that big leap and you never know what’s there until you try. It might be a little scary at first but once you get out there and you realize there’s other stuff it’s amazing for your future growth.”

– Lacey C., TTEC

Over 1,000 Shifts Worked Through SkillsRI's Congregate Care Dispatch/Staffing Program

Over 1,000 shifts have been claimed in the SkillsRI dispatching/staffing program, offering congregate care facilities the support they need and providing Rhode Island healthcare heroes the increased wages they deserve.

We are proud to share that through our hiring and training partners, the average wage of a candidate who was placed through Skills for Rhode Island’s Future was $17.85/ hour. While there’s more work to be done, we’re trending in the right direction.

“For anyone seeking the tools needed to successfully navigate today’s job market, this workshop does that and more! The speakers are engaging, caring, and highly skilled at their craft. The content is cutting edge and the group participation invaluable.”

– Gerard “Jerry” Noel, Ready.Set.Work! Training Program

SkillsRI & Honeywell Partner to Train & Employ Hundreds for N95 Mask Production

Major manufacturer Honeywell ramped up production of critically needed N95 Masks in their Smithfield, RI production facility.

SkillsRI partnered with Honeywell throughout the year, connecting 191 candidates for direct hire opportunities, as well as piloting a train-to-hire opportunity with ESL classes for Spanish-speaking individuals.

“I moved to the US from Nigeria in 2019, and I was home without a job when COVID-19 hit. While watching TV one day, I heard Governor Gina Raimondo asking for people to come out and help make N95 face masks for healthcare workers, and I decided I wanted to make an impact. I contacted SkillRI to become a volunteer, and within a week, they emailed me to let me know I could work at Honeywell making masks, and I could get paid to do it! ”

– Funmilayo O., Honeywell

Milestone Reached: Over 10,000 Candidates Have Received SkillsRI Career Enhancement Services

SkillsRI celebrated the 10,000th candidate to have received career enhancement services, a critical step to supporting candidates. We’re deeply honored to have the opportunity to work with each and every individual who comes through SkillsRI.

“Knowing someone is advocating for you during your job search can make a world of difference.”

– Dana L., SkillsRI Candidate

SkillsRI & Partners Help Launch Major Statewide Diversity and Disabilities Hiring Initiative

Partnering with three Rhode Island adult service provider agencies (Perspective’s Corporation, AccessPointRI and Trudeau Center), SkillsRI supported the launch of PCSEPP (Person Centered Supported Employment Performance Program) grant provided by BHDDH (Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals). The statewide initiative seeks to increase access to work opportunities for Rhode Islanders with intellectual/developmental disabilities participating in the program.

“This was a valuable and rewarding experience for me because I was helping people from my community as well as contributing in a positive way for our state during this difficult time.”

– Ilsa M., PrepareRI College Internship Program

SkillsRI Welcomed Over 100 Candidates Into an Emergency Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training Program

In partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Health, SkillsRI enrolled over 100 individuals into a free, accelerated CNA training program to help alleviate pressure on healthcare workers amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The SkillsRI staff guided me through every step of the process, and they truly cared about seeing me succeed. With the help of the SkillsRI team, I’m now on a path to a better future in the career path of my dreams, and I get to make a difference in my home state.”

– Oricel M., Accelerated CNA Training Program

Over 175 Rhode Islanders Participate in SkillsRI's Temporary Staffing Program

Collaborating with the Department of Labor and Training, in April SkillsRI introduced a temporary staffing initiative aimed at providing increased wages of $18 to $23 per hour for Rhode Islanders displaced from their jobs due to COVID-19.

Over 175 individuals participated in the staffing program, providing critical inspectors, screeners, substitute teachers and more across Rhode Island.

Thank you for being a valuable member of the SkillsRI community. The SkillsRI team wishes you health and happiness in the new year.

Work-Based Learning Navigator Connects RI Students to Year-Round, Career Readiness Opportunities

Developed through a generous partnership with Fidelity Investments and Partnership for Rhode Island, the free online portal will match educators with Rhode Island employers to bring career learning into the classroom.

Skills for Rhode Island’s Future (SkillsRI)–the nonprofit organization that connects unemployed and underemployed Rhode Islanders to job opportunities and sustainable career pathways–today announced the launch of the PrepareRI Work-Based Learning (WBL) Navigator in collaboration with the Governor’s Workforce Board (GWB) and Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE). The free, online portal is designed to connect Rhode Island public and charter school students to year-round, meaningful work-based learning and career exploration opportunities in the classroom that will equip them with the skills needed to thrive in the workplace.

The WBL Navigator tool was built through a generous partnership with Fidelity Investments and Partnership for Rhode Island.

“Through our work with the PrepareRI high school and college internship programs, we’ve seen first-hand how work-based learning can help us fight inequities and ensure that every student has access to resources that will help them succeed in their careers.” said Nina Pande, Executive Director at SkillsRI.  The new PrepareRI WBL Navigator will help us expand on our work to bring hands-on career learning activities into the classroom, effectively breaking down barriers and paving stronger career pathways for our future workforce.”

“Fidelity Investments is committed to making a difference in the lives of school-age children and teachers in the communities where we work and live by sharing our experience and resources to help deliver financial literacy programming, curriculum and activities, and the Navigator is the perfect extension of those efforts,” said Rick Metters, Head of Government Relations and Public Affairs in Rhode Island. “We were happy to work with Partnership for Rhode Island, the GWB and RIDE to develop a tool that delivers learning modules to increase knowledge and skill.”

In addition to the development of the Navigator, Fidelity Investments also recently partnered with SkillsRI–a nonprofit organization that connects unemployed and underemployed Rhode Islanders to job opportunities and sustainable career pathways–to recruit Rhode Islanders for a variety of entry-level positions in client services. As part of this initiative, Fidelity is committed to helping Rhode Islanders gain valuable experience, personal and professional growth and strong mentorship in the financial services industry.

Using the new PrepareRI WBL Navigator, Rhode Island employers can post virtual or in-person work-based learning and career exploration opportunities, called “resources,” and educators can search, browse and request resources based on their need. Skills for Rhode Island’s Future then serves as the intermediary that matches educator requests with relevant resources for their students.

Resources on the Navigator will include:

Career Exploration Resources

  • Career Fairs
  • Career Panels
  • Guest Speakers
  • Employer Advisor for CTE Programs
  • Mentorships
  • Job Shadows
  • Workplace Tours

Work-Based Learning Resources

  • Academic Year Internships
  • Employer or Industry-Specific Projects
  • Service-Learning Opportunities
  • Summer Internships
  • Teacher Externships
  • Work Readiness Career Enhancement Workshops

Resources organized and provided through the PrepareRI WBL Navigator can also be applied to the state’s requirement of 80 work-based learning hours for students.

“The need for work-based learning has never been more important,” said Scott Jensen, Director of Rhode Island’s Department of Labor and Training. “Our youth are entering a rapidly-transforming workforce, where new fields and ways of work are emerging. The Navigator will be a critical tool in bringing together the education, business and workforce development communities to connect the dots between traditional education and the current workforce for students as they build their vision for the future.”

“This incredible program will help connect our students and teachers with our business community and leaders,” said Commissioner of Education Angélica Infante-Green. “The skills built and experiences provided by these work-based learning opportunities will help prepare students for career pathways in their future. We’re excited for the launch of this innovative and collaborative tool for our schools.”

The PrepareRI WBL Navigator will be piloted with a select group of employers and educators starting today, and will roll out to all Rhode Island employers and educators in the new year.

“We are very excited to launch the Navigator pilot,” said Tom Giordano, Executive Director of Partnership for Rhode Island, a nonprofit coalition of Rhode Island’s leading business executives. “This platform will provide valuable and unique work-based learning opportunities across the state resulting in hundreds of hours of interactions between professionals, teachers and their students. This type of collaboration is what builds the workforce of the future. “

Employers and educators can sign up on the PrepareRI Work-Based Learning Navigator at www.riwblnavigator.com. For more information and to speak with a Skills for Rhode Island’s Future team member, visit www.skillsforri.com/navigator.

Jackson Kustell – PrepareRI Intern

Jackson Kustell
Jackson was an intern in PrepareRI's summer internship program, the COVID-19 Innovation Challenge. Jackson reflects on his experience over the summer.

Tell me about your experience with the PrepareRI internship program.

I had a spectacular experience with PrepareRI. I’ll admit, I was a little bit concerned when I heard that it would be transitioning to an online model, but those concerns evaporated on day one. I am really impressed with how the PrepareRI team managed to do a complete 180 so fast under such short notice. For me the Internship was a beautiful blend of work experience through exposure to real corporations and real problems and of character development though mentorships, reflection, and daily seminars in everything from “Falling Forwards” to Creativity. PrepareRI is so much more than just a summer job, it’s a program that gives you skills and tools to forge a better future.

How has the PrepareRI program impacted your life?

The COVID-19 Innovation Challenge completely changed my outlook on teamwork. I went in as the type of person who would try to do all of the work myself. However, working in such a large group on such complex problems showed me that I couldn’t achieve goals just by powering through the work myself (as I have done in some school projects in the past). I’m really thankful that I had the chance to learn this now through PrepareRI instead of later, so that when I join the workforce I’ll be able to start things off with a more team oriented mindset right from the get-go.

Do you have a favorite moment from the program?

I had so many great experiences over the internship that it’s incredibly hard to pick only one, but if I had to pick one, it would be when we gave our final presentation as a team. Even though we didn’t end up winning the competition, to see all of our hard work come together in the end, something that we had researched, designed, and prototyped, was incredibly cool!

What do you think are the biggest benefits of PrepareRI compared to other internships or career learning programs in schools?

I’d say the biggest benefit of PrepareRI is that it’s the whole package all in one. It’s not just an internship. Through PrepareRI I had deep insight into Amgen and formed real connections with some of its members. I learned about leadership, building brand, public speaking, adaptability through seminars and discussions and then had the chance to apply what I learned in a safe environment. I learned how to work with my peers through the student corporation. I had the opportunity to create something unique, and to present in a real pitch environment. PrepareRI isn’t just your average internship, it truly prepares you for your future.

Tell us about the network, connections, and/or friendships you've developed as part of this program.

I was starting to get really lonely last summer. The pandemic had shut down all of my normal paths of interaction. The internship gave me the opportunity to work with so many new people that I would have never met otherwise. And I’m thankful for the connection and friendships PrepareRI brought, especially in a time when we’re so isolated.
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Rida Jawed – PrepareRI Intern

Rida Jawed
Rida was an intern in PrepareRI's summer internship program in both 2019 & 2020. Now attending Northeastern University, Rida reflects on her experiences with PrepareRI and how they helped support her education & career path.

Tell me about your experience with the PrepareRI internship program.

I did my first internship through PrepareRI at Dr. Day Care as a Social Media and Marketing Intern. It was an incredible experience and a great opportunity to learn more about the corporate world. I developed several technical skills as well as soft skills that helped me develop professionally and utilize those skills in other programs as well. I was then selected as a 2nd-year intern in the 2020 COVID-19 Challenge and I applied to be the CEO of my corporation. The second internship was absolutely extraordinary. I was working with a team of very talented people that worked incredibly hard resulting in Corporation 1 being the 2nd place and popular vote winner.

How has the PrepareRI program impacted your life?

PrepareRI has really helped me develop skills that I don’t get to develop at school. Working with a team and managing a corporation as the CEO was an incredible learning experience in terms of leadership and team-work. I have also built amazing relationships with my co-workers, mentors, and supervisors.

Do you have a favorite moment from the program?

My corporation decided to host a 1-day virtual summit to promote careers in the offshore wind industry. Minutes before we out summit started, our team came on a Zoom call reflecting on how much we had achieved in just 6 weeks. At the beginning of the 6 weeks, we really didn’t think we would be able to bring this idea to completion but at that moment we were so proud of ourselves that we were able to host a summit with 3 panelists and 40+ participants including students and teachers from all across RI.

What do you think are the biggest benefits of PrepareRI compared to other internships or career learning programs in schools?

PrepareRI, compared to other career learning programs, provides immense opportunity for students to develop skills that will benefit them and others in the long run. Often, career learning programs are a few weeks long and the learning pretty much ends at the end of those weeks. PrepareRI helps you develop a professional, learning mindset that will be forever helpful in the future. To summarize, PrepareRI, instead of giving a man a fish and feeding him for a day, teaches a man to fish and feeds him for a lifetime.

Tell us about the network, connections, and/or friendships you've developed as part of this program.

Starting off the internship, I didn’t think I would build the friendships and connections that I did. I have built genuine relationships with my co-workers and mentors and we still talk to each other and help each other in different aspects of personal and professional life. The network is something I would have never been able to develop if I hadn’t been part of the PrepareRI Internship program.
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