Governor Dan McKee will showcase a proposed $2.3 million investment in Real Jobs RI as part of his FY26 budget at an event on Wednesday, March 12 in Middletown.
This additional funding aims to train 500 more Rhode Islanders through the program, which has already proven successful in the defense industry sector.
McKee will be joined by Matthew Weldon, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, along with representatives from SENEDIA and McLaughlin Research Corporation (MRC).
The event, taking place at MRC’s facility, will highlight the program’s achievements and showcase ongoing projects by interns in cybersecurity, AI, and robotics.
The RI Defense Industry Partnership, organized by SENEDIA, has used previous Real Jobs RI funding to place over 280 interns, with more than 90% now employed in the sector, according to Governor McKee’s office. The partnership has also helped over 120 candidates get industry-recognized certifications and assisted more than 300 job seekers in finding direct employment.
The proposed budget increase follows a $67 million Department of Defense contract awarded to support the New England Next Gen Sector Partnership for Submarine Shipbuilding Workforce Development.
The event will include a brief speaking agenda followed by demonstrations from MRC interns, all of whom are Rhode Island-based college graduates.
The event is closed to the public.
