CCRI Celebrates First Cohort of MC3 Graduates, Expands Apprenticeship Readiness Program to Providence and Newport Campuses

04/08/2025

WARWICK, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) proudly celebrates the graduation of its first cohort of the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) Apprenticeship Readiness Program, marking a significant milestone in the college’s commitment to expanding career pathways in the skilled trades. The graduation ceremony took place on Thursday, April 3, at 3:30 p.m. at CCRI’s Warwick Campus.

Developed in partnership with Building Futures RI and funded by a $250,000 workforce investment from the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (RI-DLT), CCRI’s MC3 program equips participants with industry-recognized credentials and the foundational skills needed to enter registered apprenticeships across multiple trades.

"The building and construction trades offer exceptional opportunities for individuals to gain valuable skills, earn while they learn, and build meaningful careers," said Rosemary A. Costigan, Ph.D., RN, interim president of CCRI. "With the expansion of the MC3 Apprenticeship Readiness Program, we are strengthening our commitment to workforce development and increasing access to life-changing opportunities for more Rhode Islanders. Rhode Island’s construction workforce is aging, and this program ensures we are preparing the next generation of skilled professionals to meet the state’s growing infrastructure and development needs."

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the construction sector is projected to grow through 2032, with an increasing demand for skilled tradespeople due to infrastructure investments and retiring workers.

Following the success of this first cohort, CCRI will expand its MC3 programming with two additional cohorts later this year. The second cohort will be held at CCRI’s Providence Campus, and the third at the Newport Campus, reinforcing the college’s commitment to providing accessible training opportunities across the state.

"Investments in apprenticeship programs lead directly to a highly skilled workforce and a stronger economy," said Governor Dan McKee, who included $800,000 in his proposed FY 26 budget to expand CCRI’s Ready to Build initiative. "The MC3 program at CCRI is preparing the next generation of workers with the tools they need to be successful in emerging careers and fields. I am proud to support funding in my budget for Ready to Build, ensuring that we continue to create opportunities in the trades for Rhode Islanders. With the construction industry offering competitive wages and long-term career growth, programs like MC3 are critical to meeting employer demand and strengthening our workforce.”

"The MC3 Apprenticeship Readiness Program is a vital bridge to high-quality, middle-class careers in the building trades. This program not only equips participants with the foundational skills they need to succeed but also strengthens Rhode Island’s workforce by ensuring we have well-trained professionals ready to meet the growing demand for skilled labor. LiUNA and the Rhode Island Building & Construction Trades Council are proud to support initiatives like MC3, which provide direct pathways to stable, high-wage jobs that strengthen families and communities. We look forward to welcoming these graduates into the workforce and continuing our partnership to expand access to these life-changing opportunities,” said Michael Sabitoni, President, Rhode Island Building Construction Trades Council (RIBCTC) and General Secretary Treasurer, Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA).

“I’m proud to be part of this groundbreaking work to connect Rhode Islanders to middle-class jobs in construction,” said Matthew Weldon, RI Department of Labor & Training Director. “Thanks to the Governor’s investment through the Rhode to Prosperity initiative, programs like the MC3 Apprenticeship Readiness Program are opening doors to new opportunities and higher earnings for our residents. Strategic investments like these make sure more residents have access to the training and credentials needed to secure good-paying jobs in high-demand industries. I look forward to seeing the continued success of this program and helping Rhode Islanders reach new economic heights.”

“Registered Apprenticeship works. Since 1937, this time-tested system of combining employment, on-the-job learning,  post-secondary education and wage advancement has trained high-skilled professionals for middle class careers without college debt,” said Building Futures President and CEO Andrew Cortés, “Now, the Ready to Build apprenticeship readiness program at CCRI is helping to extend these exceptional pathways to new students that may otherwise not gain access.” 

“Apprenticeship programs provide a structured path for students to further their postsecondary education and to earn degrees that will advance their careers and skills,” said David Caprio, chairman, Rhode Island Council on Postsecondary Education. “We will continue to see the growth of apprenticeship programs because they are so effective in preparing students for real-world work experiences.”

“When students are engaged in their studies and intended career paths, they tend to achieve better educational outcomes and complete their degrees,” said Shannon Gilkey, Ed.D., Rhode Island Postsecondary Education Commissioner. “CCRI’s MC3 program will contribute to an upward swing in persistent and completion rates, bolstering our skilled workforce in a very positive way.”

The MC3 program provides participants with hands-on learning experiences, industry exposure, and essential training in health and safety, construction math, blueprint reading, and financial literacy. By preparing individuals for registered apprenticeships, the program contributes to the strength and sustainability of Rhode Island’s workforce.

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