Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Workforce Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
State budget boosts workforce programs; DLT outlines training and internship expansions
Summary
Department of Labor and Training director Matt Weldon described roughly $14 million in job-related funding in the governor's budget, expansions to work-based learning and Prepare RI internships, and targets to serve more participants through Real Jobs Rhode Island.
Matthew Weldon, director of the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, outlined workforce investments included in the governor's proposed budget and described multiple training programs available to manufacturers. "In total, there's about $14,000,000 available for real jobs in the governor's budget, including the job development fund and general revenue," Weldon said.
Weldon described state and federal on-the-job training programs, incumbent worker training grants, and the Real Jobs Rhode Island initiative. He said the budget includes $5,400,000 in general revenue for workforce work and a $2,000,000 add for work-based learning that will expand Prepare RI and paid summer internships (students can earn about $4,200 for the summer). He also noted Real Jobs has helped about 6,000 unique employers and 43,000 people and that the program aims to add roughly 500 more participants next year.
Weldon encouraged manufacturers to contact his office for tailored support and provided an email contact for follow-up. He and Commerce staff said some federal funding streams are uncertain and urged companies to use available state resources while federal reauthorizations are pending.
