CCRI announces partnership with Building Futures to deliver new Apprenticeship Readiness program

11/22/2024

Reinforcing its commitment to expanding pathways into skilled trades, the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), in partnership with Building Futures, announced a new Apprenticeship Readiness Program for recent high school graduates and young adults. The announcement was made as part of National Apprenticeship Week, a nationwide celebration to showcase the successes and value of Registered Apprenticeship for strengthening the economy by developing a highly skilled workforce to meet industry needs, creating pathways for career seekers to catapult into good jobs, and advancing racial and gender equity.

With the support of a $250,000 workforce investment from the RI Department of Labor and Training (RI-DLT), the college will begin offering apprenticeship readiness programming in January through the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3), a comprehensive apprenticeship readiness curriculum developed by the North American Building Trades Union (NABTU) and TradesFutures that delivers an industry-recognized credential.

The 160-hour program aims to increase the number of qualified candidates for registered apprenticeships, particularly among women, veterans, and communities of color, across all trades. It provides participants with a deeper understanding of various careers in the construction and building trades, thereby enhancing workforce readiness throughout Rhode Island's construction and trades industries.

Through MC3 programming, participants explore construction careers that start with a Registered Apprenticeship across all the different trades, from plumbing and electrical, to sheet metal and ironworkers. The curriculum includes classroom instruction on industry awareness, health and safety, construction math, the heritage of the American Worker, diversity, blueprint reading, and financial literacy.

The $250,000 RI-DLT grant will support three cohorts of MC3 and the creation of an academic, credit-bearing program.

The college announced the partnership at a press conference featuring Gov. Daniel McKee, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, CCRI Interim President Rosemary A. Costigan, President & CEO of Building Futures Andrew Cortés, and labor leaders.

This new Apprenticeship Readiness Program adds to a robust lineup of Division of Workforce Partnerships offerings at CCRI, which include healthcare, education, business programs, and manufacturing and trades such as CNC manufacturing, maritime careers, electrical apprenticeships, and Global Wind Organisation (GWO) basic safety training.

CCRI’s MC3 apprenticeship readiness program will benefit multiple unions, strengthening workforce readiness across Rhode Island’s construction and trades industries, while satisfying the broader workforce needs of Rhode Island’s unions and construction sectors.

“Investments in apprenticeship programs lead directly to a highly skilled workforce and a stronger economy,” said Governor McKee. “Thanks to our partners at the DLT, CCRI, and Building Futures, the MC3 Program is preparing the next generation of workers with the tools they need to be successful in emerging careers and fields.”

“If you look around Rhode Island, you’ll see a lot of work going on. We’ve made massive investments in upgrading our infrastructure, and my top legislative priority is increasing the number of homes being constructed. We’re also leading the way with our environmental initiatives, but we need skilled workers to build the energy infrastructure necessary to achieve our climate goals,” said Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi. “This new partnership and the resulting training program are huge wins for our state in developing its future workforce and strengthening our economy; the companies who will benefit from capable, job-ready employees; and the students who are creating meaningful, good-paying careers.”

“The building and construction trades offer exceptional opportunities for individuals to gain valuable skills, earn while they learn, and build meaningful careers. With this apprenticeship readiness program, CCRI is investing in our students and the future of our state by providing the training and mentorship they need to succeed in high-demand fields,” said CCRI interim president Rosemary A. Costigan, Ph.D., RN.

According to data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship, those who complete registered apprenticeships earn an annual average starting salary of $80,000 with 90 percent of apprentices retaining employment after completing their apprenticeship program.

“The Rhode Island Building & Construction Trades Council have the gold standard of career development with our high-quality Registered Apprenticeship programs,” said David Langlais, Vice-President of the RIBCTC and Business Manager of Ironworkers Local 37. “Offering a MC3 Apprenticeship Readiness Program at CCRI in partnership with Building Futures helps extend these earn-while-you-learn careers to more young adults.”

 “Building Futures, as the statewide MC3 intermediary, is excited to join in this new partnership with CCRI. Together, we are preparing the next generation to become the tradesmen and women of tomorrow,” said Andrew Cortés, President & CEO of Building Futures.

“We are excited to support this innovative partnership between CCRI and Building Futures Rhode Island to expand pathways into the skilled trades. This new apprenticeship readiness program reflects our commitment to building a diverse, inclusive, and highly qualified workforce,” said Matt Weldon, RI Department of Labor and Training Director. “By equipping participants with essential skills and an industry-recognized credential, we are not only preparing individuals for rewarding careers in the skilled trades but also building a stronger, more inclusive economy that benefits all Rhode Islanders.”

“Building Futures’ program is the premier construction apprenticeship curriculum in the country. The Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council is pleased CCRI has recognized its value and implementation at the state level. We look forward to working with the college and Building Futures to ensure the MC3 program meet the state’s future skilled workforce needs,” said Michael Sabitoni, General Secretary-Treasurer of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA), and President of the Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council.

“Apprenticeships offer a gateway to opportunity for Rhode Islanders and represent a critical component of our workforce development efforts. I am grateful to the Community College of Rhode Island, Building Futures Rhode Island, and the Department of Labor & Training for making this apprenticeship readiness program a reality, and I will continue supporting efforts to strengthen our state’s educational and job training pipeline,” said Senator Hanna M. Gallo (D-Dist. 27, Cranston, West Warwick).

“Increasing the number of Rhode Islanders who participate in registered apprenticeships will strengthen workforce readiness by providing hands-on, real-world experiences that will complement academic learning,” said David Caprio, chairman, Rhode Island Council on Postsecondary Education. “A well-trained, well-educated workforce will serve the future needs of employers for decades and simultaneously improve the earning power of families. That is a huge win for everyone.”

“Broadly speaking, Rhode Island is actively aligning apprenticeships to college degrees, and we’re making it easier for students who complete apprenticeships to automatically get college credits for their apprenticeship credentials should they wish to earn a degree,” said Shannon Gilkey, Ed.D., Commissioner of Postsecondary Education. “Breaking down silos between apprenticeships and college in this way is important so that no one has to start from scratch when they have relevant experience and a credential. It shortens the time to earn that degree and reduces out-of-pocket costs.”  

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