PROVIDENCE – Hispanic Technology & Education Programs of Rhode Island, a vocational school serving students in the fields of nursing, customer services, ESL, job development skills, and computers, recently celebrated the first day of classes for certified nursing assistant students. More than forty students have enrolled in the six-week course, which prepares students for the National Nurse’s Aide Assessment Program and for employment in the high-demand field of nursing. While all HITEP training courses and the NNAAP are in English, HITEP offers understanding and Spanish support for qualified Limited English Speakers (LES).
Jorge Elorza, Providence mayoral candidate, was an honored guest at the kick-off. Elorza, a native of the Elmwood neighborhood where HITEP is located, spoke to the CNA students about the importance of education in the economy. He shared his own experience turning his life around with achievements at Community College of Rhode Island that took him to Wall Street and later Harvard Law School. He encouraged HITEP students to study hard for themselves and their families, and pledged to attend their graduation in six weeks to hand them their diplomas.
The class is HITEP’s twelfth CNA class of 2014, and the last of the year. HITEP graduates’ NNAAP pass rates are significantly increasing, indicating success in skills exam results in relation to other Rhode Island vocational schools. Additionally, HITEP is a service provider for the State of Rhode Island, Department of Labor and Training (DLT), Office of Rehabilitation Services and one of the largest service providers for the Department of Health Services.
