NORTH KINGSTOWN – The R.I. Department of Labor and Training has granted the North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce a $100,000 Real Jobs Implementation Grant, the chamber announced Wednesday.
The grant, under the title “Implementing a Rhode Island Wind Energy Technology Career Pathway System,” will go toward designing, initiating and implementing a career pathway training program to establish an ongoing talent pipeline to meet the near- and long-term employment and credential requirements of the wind energy industry in Rhode Island.
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The program will “utilize and augment existing training and educational programs in partnership with Rhode Island education institutions,” according to a release from the chamber. The program also will prepare participants for the North American Board of Certified Energy Professionals entry exam.
A representative from the DLT said the department expects the grant to last one year starting in September.
“We are confident the career pathways approach for the wind-energy sector will become a model of community collaboration while delivering a whole solution for workforce training and education in Rhode Island,” said Kristin Urbach, executive director of the North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce. “We look forward to partnering with the educational institutions and businesses in Rhode Island to design and deliver a comprehensive and sustainable career pathway program that will prepare and credential both new employees and incumbent workers.”
The grant also will underwrite a fourth-quarter 2018 symposium about the wind energy supply chain in the Ocean State, with the twin goals of exposing potential workers to the industry as well as educate manufacturers and trade businesses about the material, equipment and service needs of the wind energy sector.
“Deepwater Wind’s Block Island wind farm is the first in the nation and proof that, through collaborative efforts, Rhode Island is now a national leader in the wind industry. We look forward to our new wind-energy partnership and are excited for the opportunity to build a pipeline of skilled talent that also grows the clean energy industry here in the state,” said Scott Jensen, director of the R.I. Department of Labor and Training.
Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.
