Raimondo announces new web development minor at four colleges and universities

WEST WARWICK – Gov. Gina M. Raimondo announced on Monday the launch of new web development minors at Bryant University, Johnson & Wales University, Rhode Island College and the University of Rhode Island.
The announcement coincided with a visit from U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. at West Warwick High School.
The initiative, which was led by the R.I. Commerce Corp. and URI, will prepare undergraduates for software development careers.
“This program is another example of how we’re leaving no stone unturned as we work to provide all Rhode Islanders with opportunities to gain the skills they need to enter new and successful careers and give our companies the tools they need to succeed and expand in our state,” Raimondo said.
All of the universities and colleges that are participating worked on the creation of the program, which builds on Computer Science for Rhode Island, the initiative Raimondo debuted earlier this year to place computer science in every public school by December 2017.
Thanks to CS4RI courses, some Rhode Island high school students, including those Raimondo and King visited at West Warwick High School, will be able to arrive at college with up to one-third of their minor already completed.
College presidents and Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor said the new minors are a way to ensure students graduate with 21st-century skills, and can compete in the workforce.

“Because a minor doesn’t require additional tuition or time, it has the potential to increase significantly the number of students graduating with computer science training. Growing such a talent pipeline will give our students, our businesses and our state a competitive edge,” Pryor said in a statement.

The minors also were developed with feedback from Rhode Island companies. The new program will be fully integrated with TechHire Rhode Island, the state’s tech workforce development effort that connects local employers seeking IT talent with residents who are skilled in tech and programming.

Students can enroll in the University of Rhode Island’s new web development and enterprise programming minors now and start taking courses in January. RIC, Johnson & Wales and Bryant University are expected to launch their programs in the fall.

- Advertisement -

No posts to display