PROVIDENCE, RI – In an effort to prepare more Rhode Islanders for high-skill jobs and match them with businesses which are hiring, U.S. Senator Jack Reed is seeking to restore critical workforce development funds.

Today, Reed and Director for the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (RIDLT) Charles J. Fogarty joined Rhode Island College (RIC) President Nancy Carriuolo for a tour of critical workforce training programs.  During the tour, Reed met with students enrolled in the Rhode Island College Outreach Program’s TRAMA class (Training Responsible Adults as Medical Assistants) who are preparing for new careers in the fast-growing health industry.

Although there are jobs available in Rhode Island, businesses often report it is difficult to prepare and match qualified individuals with openings.  Training programs funded by the federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) help fill the gap.  Eligible job seekers may qualify for up to $5,500 in free WIA-approved short-term training in high-growth industries. 

“We must do everything we can to help companies grow and create more job opportunities,” said Senator Reed, who has successfully supported over $40 million dollars in WIA funding for Rhode Island over the last three years to help more Rhode Islanders get the job skills they need to move from unemployment rolls onto payrolls.  “Rhode Island College’s Outreach Program does an outstanding job preparing students both academically and technically for the jobs of today and the jobs of tomorrow.”

Director of Labor and Training Charles J. Fogarty adds, “There is no better time than an economic recovery to train the workforce for the right skills to fulfill the jobs of the future. Subsidized, short-term training in Rhode Island's high-growth industries is one way our state can reduce the skills gap that exists between job seekers and available job openings. Further cuts to the Workforce Investment Act translate to fewer training opportunities for Rhode Island's job seekers, a widening skills gap, and a slower economic turn-around.”

“Institutions of higher education play an important, but lesser known, role in fulfilling the needs of non-traditional students who are either displaced workers or new citizens seeking the skills necessary for employment.  We are pleased and proud that Senator Jack Reed and DLT Director Charles Fogarty are interested in the important work being done at the Outreach Center at Rhode Island College,” said RIC President Nancy Carriuolo.

Last year, Rhode Island programs funded by the Workforce Investment Act trained more than 2,200 job seekers in high-demand occupations, and also funded intensive job counseling services, youth workforce development, and other innovative programs, including contextualized training that combines adult literacy with occupational skills training.

However, potential cuts to the program could mean a loss for critical work development and placement programs throughout the state.

Senator Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee, is working to restore more than $1 billion to workforce development programs, including the Workforce Investment Act, and develop new and innovative job training strategies to give more Rhode Islanders the opportunity to achieve their career potential and get a good job.

“Investing in our people is one of the most important things we can do to get our economy back on track.  We have a lot of businesses that want to hire, and Rhode Islanders who want to work, and Workforce Investment Act programs like this one help connect the two by bridging the skills gap and matching job training with needs of employers,” said Senator Reed.  “Workforce Investment Act programs help provide a range of services from resume development to support for education and job training for new occupations in high demand fields.  The idea is to give people an opportunity to learn the skills they need to get a good job in expanding, better-paying fields.”

RIC Outreach Program’s TRAMA course is a 24-week certificate program that develops skills in medical assisting, front desk procedures, office and computer skills, financial literacy, and oral and written communications.  The program also includes a 120-hour internship in a health care setting.  Rhode Island College's job training programs have demonstrated a high success rate in placing program participants in jobs.  According to U.S. Department of Labor statistics, medical assistants earn an average annual income of about $30,000.