Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI)
Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI)

The Partnership for Rhode Island and the Community College of Rhode Island have announced plans to launch a pilot program that will provide students with hands-on experience in the work environment.

The pilot program is a collaboration between the two organizations and will leverage the EPIC Network, a national program that supports work-based learning for students. As part of the pilot program, 30 students from the CCRI will have the opportunity to work with industry partners, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Rhode Island.

“The Partnership is grateful for the opportunity to bolster our commitment to work-based learning, and we are incredibly excited to partner with CCRI as they share this commitment at every level,” said Tom Giordano, Executive Director of The Partnership for Rhode Island. “Employing more Rhode Islanders starts with partnerships like this where, together, we work to bridge the gap between students and careers by providing a learning experience that centers work-based learning.”

CCRI Interim President Dr. Rosemary Costigan said, “CCRI is thrilled to be collaborating with the Partnership on this groundbreaking initiative to connect students to opportunities with in-demand industries. Together, we’ll deliver significant positive impacts to Rhode Island’s workforce and business community while showcasing our state on the national stage as a leader in work-based learning experiences.”

This initiative is supported by the American Student Assistance (ASA) and the Walton Family Foundation. The program is one of nine in the country to provide students with work-based learning opportunities.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020). He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide. Ryan...

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