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.
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.
RINLA hosts an online job board of green industry openings: https://growingfuturesri.org/job-seekers/
GROUNDWORK RI (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.
GREEN REENTRY JOB TRAINING
Garden Time offers a six-week green industry job training program for formerly incarcerated Rhode Islanders.
- Formerly incarcerated or justice-impacted
- Highly motivated to learn green industry skills
- Excited to work outdoors as a part of a team
- Able to lift 40 lbs & spend the day on your feet
Preference will be given to applicants who:
- Live in Providence’s 02908 or 02909 zip codes
- Have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19
For more information see www.gardentime.us For a paper copy of the application email info@gardentime.us or text or call (401) 996-4922.
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
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.
COMMERCIAL FISHERIES OF RI
Industry Focus: Commercial Fishing
Location: 61B East Farm Rd, Kingston, RI (training in both Kingston and Point Judith)
Phone: 401-741-4178 Email: fredmatters@cfcri.oeg Website: https://cfcri.org (click on apprenticeship)
Training: a hands-on and classroom based 4 week training program, Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM with 3 days at sea on a fishing vessel. All gear is provided.
Fee: Upon completion of the course you will receive a $1,000 stipend.
Application: call or email to apply
Entry requirements: 18 years of age, drivers’ license and reliable transportation, background check and drug test, interested in a career in commercial fishing.
THE EDUCATION EXCHANGE
Industry Focus: Aquaculture/Shellfish Farming
Location: 33 North Road, Peace Dale, RI Phone: 401-783-0293 Email: info@edexri.org Website: https://edexri.org
Training: 5 week hands-on and classroom based training offered in the spring. Classroom hours are 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Training includes basic boating skills, tools, shellfish biology and ServSafe Kitchen certificate.
Fee: Free and receive a small hourly stipend during training
Application: call or email for more information and to apply
Entry requirements: have reliable transportation and pass a BCI for theft and violent crime only
CCRI FAST TRACK TO CNC MANUFACTURING
Industry Focus: Advanced Manufacturing
Location: 400 East Eve, Warwick (Listen campus) Phone: 401-455-6188 Email: ftm@ccri.edu Website: https://www.ccri.edu/workforce/workforce/manufacturingtrades/CNC.html
Training: Phase 1 is a 20-week (205 hours) program in fundamentals of CNC (Computer numerical control) manufacturing which earns you 10 college credits. Phase 2 you will learn deeper computer assisted manufacturing skills.
Fee: Free
Application: email ftm@ccri.edu to register.
Entry Requirements: 18 years of age or older, RI resident
WE MAKE RI
Industry Focus: Advanced Manufacturing
Location: Cranston Phone: 401-232-0077 Website: www.WeMakeRI.com
Training: A variety of free trainings to RI residents in various phases of manufacturing. Pre-apprenticeship program meets every week day from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM for 17 weeks or evening classes from 4:30 to 7:30 on Tuesday and Thursday for 30 weeks. Students earn a variety of certificates as well as college credit.
Fee: there are fees but scholarships are available
Application: apply online
SAMI
Industry Focus: 1) Ship Building and Advanced Manufacturing; 2) Welding
Location: New England Institute of Technology Phone: 401-739-5000 ext. 3700 Email: info@samiri.org Website: https://cti.neit.edu/What-We-Offer/SAMI
Training: 300-hour machinist training; 260-hour welding training
Fee: Free
Application: Call or email for more information
Entry Requirements: reading and math tests
THE STEEL YARD
Industry focus: welding/metal fabrication
Location: 27 Sims Ave, Providence
Phone: 401-273-7101 Email: workforce@thesteelyard.org Website: http://thesteelyard.org/workforce
Training: Weld-To-Work is a 35 hour, one week training Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Learn basic metal fabrication with tools such as such as the oxygen-acetylene torch, plasma cutter and MIG welder. Call to find out the current class schedule.
Fee: Free with $175 stipend for those who finish the course
Application: print out a copy from their web page and mail or deliver it in person
Entry Requirements: 18 years of age, RI resident, able to read and understand English, meet low-income eligibility requirements (based on federal poverty levels).
AMOS HOUSE
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: Culinary
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: Culinary – hands-on food preparation training, customer service, hospitality, and an internship with a local business, 16-week program
Certificates: • Servsafe Certification • TIPS Certification • Guest Service Gold • CPR/First Aid Certification
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.
GENESIS CENTER
Industry focus: Food Service/Culinary
Location: 620 Potters Ave, Providence Phone: 401-781-6110 Email: ccuevas@gencenter.org Website: http://www.gencenter.org/job-training
Training: Training is from 9:00 am to 2:30 PM each weekday for 8 weeks and includes hands-on cooking, classroom, and an internship at a local restaurant, hotel or large institution such as a hospital.
Application: online or attend an information session, every Tuesday, 3:00 PM at the Genesis Center.
Fee: There is a fee but Genesis offers most low-income students full scholarships.
Entry requirements: 18 years of age; reading and math assessment; able to communication in English; be able to lift 50 pounds.
RI HOSPITALITY EDUCATION FOUNDATION (RIHEF)
Industry Focus: Culinary and Hospitality
Location: 94 Sabra Street, Cranston Phone: 401-223-1120 Email: laurie@rihospitality.org Website: https://www.rihospitality.org/riha/About_RIHEF (click on Education/Training)
Trainings: Entry Level Cook Training is a three-week training, two weeks in the classroom and one week hands on experience in the kitchen. RIHEF has other culinary and hospitality trainings listed on their website, not all of which are free.
Fee: Free (Entry Level Cook Training is free but other trainings offered have fees.)
Application: apply online
Entry requirements: Interest in culinary with no prior experience
RI FOOD BANK - COMMUNITY KITCHEN
Industry Focus: Food Service/Culinary
Location: 200 Niantic Ave, Providence Phone: 401-942-6325 Email: ckapps@rifoodbank.org Website: https://rifoodbank.org/what-we-do/food-bank-programs/community-kitchen/
Training: Community Kitchen is full-time, 14-week culinary course with possible internship at a local restaurant. Learn about the industry, work readiness skills, and hands-on experience. Class sessions are scheduled several times each year. Call to find out when the next class starts.
Application: online (classes fill up quickly, you may be put on a wait list)
Fee: Free
Entry requirements: State ID or drivers’ license; social security card; current BCI; health insurance; high school diploma or GED; interview.
Apprenticeship is a special type of employment where you learn the skills of your occupation through on-the-job training and related classroom instruction. You are paid as a worker but also learn necessary skills as you work beside those who are advanced in their trade. The benefits of apprenticeship are you don’t have to have skills to enter employment as a first year apprentice and you are earning a wage while you learn the skills of your trade.
The two partner agencies, Building Futures and RINLA, offer pre-apprenticeship programs that could lead to employment as apprentices in construction (Building Futures) and landscaping (RINLA).
Rhode Island also has apprenticeship programs in manufacturing, commercial fishing, information technology and more.
For a list of apprenticeship programs and more information go to the Department of Labor and Training website at: http://www.dlt.ri.gov/apprenticeship/ or contact ApprenticeshipRI at 401-919-5919.