Job Training

There are many ways to find a job. You can apply to a training program in the field to get the skills you need ahead of time; you can apply for an apprenticeship program and start learning on the job and earning a paycheck at the same time; or you can apply for an entry-level job. Most of the following job training programs are funded through the RI DLT and are therefore free of charge to low income and unemployed individuals. Because they are grant funded programs, they may change from year to year so it’s important to check websites or call contact numbers to make sure the information is still accurate and that the programs are still available.

Search by job training field or BROWSE ALL JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS.

What you should know about APPRENTICESHIP

Rhode Island Nursery & Landscape Association (RINLA)

RINLA is an industry organization helping businesses and employers across agriculture and plant based industry in Rhode Island. They have recently launched a registered apprenticeship program with their member employers. RINLA offers several trainings to help prepare young professionals.

Industry focus: Plant-based careers (landscape maintenance, nursery, plant production, etc.)

Location: West Kingston, RI (training sites vary)

Phone: 401-874-5220 Email: workforce@rinla.org Website: https:/rinla.org

Trainings: Winter Intensive Training: Workers who are already Registered Apprentices work with their employers to decide if the Winter Intensive training is the right training for them. The training starts in February and includes classroom and hands-on instruction.

RI Certified Horticultural (RICH) training is held in the evenings, twice a week for 6 weeks at URI East Farm in Kingston.

Fees: The Winter Intensive training is currently free to apprentices. There is a fee for the RI Certified Horticultural training.

Application: Sign up online for RICH training at: https://rinla.org/register-for-rich-training/. Email or call RINLA for more information about the Winter Intensive training and apprenticeship.

Entry requirements:

Other services: Assistance in job placement and matching individuals with companies that have a registered apprenticeship program within their companies.

Groundwork Rhode Island (GWRI)

Groundwork RI is a community-based environmental organization working to create healthier and physically improved urban environments in RI communities. They offer job training as well as run a landscaping business.

Industry Focus: Environmental sector (for example brownfield remediation, lead and asbestos abatement, stormwater management, sustainable landscaping, and urban land restoration)

Location: 1005 Main Street, Suite #1223, Pawtucket, RI 02860

Phone: 401-305-7174 Email: arose@groundworkri.org Website: https://groundworkri.org

Training: 8-week training introduces trainees to career pathways in environmental sector and sustainable communities through hands-on training and certification programs. Training is in the spring (March – May) and fall (September – November), Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm.

Certificates: OSHA 10, OSHA 40 (HAZWOPER), 8-hour Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP), 40-hour Asbestos Worker or Supervisor, with additional curriculum in Wastewater Treatment, Indoor Air Quality, Stormwater Management, Composting, and Brownfields Remediation

Application: Apply online at https://goo.gl/KogTUY

Fees: Free

Other services: On a case-by-case basis, Groundwork RI can pay for further environmental sector trainings for individual graduates of the program, based on that student’s interest. They occasionally are able to hire additional graduates of the training program for GroundCorp, their landscape design, installation, and maintenance business, and Harvest Cycle, their residential food scrap collection and composting service.

Building Futures

Building Futures is a job training program that helps low-income men and women prepare to enter one of 12 different construction apprenticeship programs. Over the last 13 years they have placed nearly 300 graduates into the skilled construction trades including as electricians, laborers, carpenters, iron workers, plumber/pipefitters, painters/tapers, brick and tile layers, sheet metal workers, etc.

Industry Focus: Commercial Construction (not house building)

Location: 1 Acorn Street, Providence

Phone: 401-919-5919 Email: info@bfri.org Website: http://www.bfri.org/apprenticeships

Training: 5 week, hands-on pre-apprenticeship training in basic construction skills. Training meets 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM five days a week and includes basic math classes and presentations by and field trips to different construction trades.

Certificates: OSHA 10, First Aid/CPR, Aerial Lift, Certificate of completion from the RI Apprenticeship Council

Fees: Free

Application: You must go to an orientation in order to receive an application. Check website for orientation dates which occur three times per year (usually January, May and September but check the website or call to be sure).

Entry requirements: GED or high school diploma, RI resident, between 18 and 35, able to pass a drug test. Prior experience is not required.

Other services for trainees: social services, financial education, welding classes (for graduates of the program), help with transitioning to construction apprenticeships.

Amos House – Carpentry

Amos House is a multi-service agency that provides several different job training programs as well as housing, meals and other social services.

Industry Focus: Carpentry (See Culinary/Food Service Training for Amos House’s Culinary Program.)

Location: 460 Pine Street, Providence

Phone: 401-272-0220         Email: info@amoshouse.com       Website: https://www.amoshouse.com

Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 AM 4:00PM

Training: 16-week basic carpentry program, in class and hands-on training.

Certificates: • Life-long OSHA 10 certification •  8 Hour Lead certificate •  First Aid/CPR

Application: Michelle Pugh at mpugh@amoshouse.com

Fees: Free

Entry requirements: no entry requirements

Other Services: social services, financial coaching, meal site, housing for homeless, addiction recovery services, reentry services, among others.

RI Builders Association

Industry Focus: Residential Construction (home building)

Location: 450 Veterans Memorial Parkway, East Providence

Phone: 401-438-7400          Email: info@ribuilders.org       Website: https://ribuilders.org

Training: Training in all aspects of basic home construction. Classes meet from 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM three days a week for 26 weeks starting in September and October, depending on training location.  Training locations include Chariho, Central Falls, and Woonsocket.

Certificates: OSHA10, Lead Safety, Basic First Aid, Home Builders Institute Certificate

Fee: Free

Application: apply on-line at https://ribuilders.org/pre-apprentice-application/

Entry Requirements: interest in career in home building construction

RI Marine Trades Association (RIMTA)

Industry Focus: Marine Trades

Location: Poppasquash Road, Bristol, RI

Phone: 401-396-9619          Email: brian@rimta.org                Website: https://RIMTA.org

Training: 3 week, entry level, Core Training Program at CCRI in Providence and Warwick campuses. Classes are full-time Monday through Friday and include an introduction to basic carpentry, electrical, and CNC manufacturing as well as an opportunity to meet employers. Graduates find jobs at boat yards, marinas or in marine manufacturing.

Fee: Free

Application: Call or email to find out when the next class will start. Apply online at http://rimta.org/index.php/training-programs-2

Entry Requirements: Prior experience is not required.