Home Economy Economic Activity SENEDIA gets $195K grant from Real Jobs RI for Defense Partnership Program

SENEDIA gets $195K grant from Real Jobs RI for Defense Partnership Program

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PBN Staff

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02/18/2026

SENEDIA ANNOUNCED Wednesday that it has received a $195,500 grant from Real Jobs RI to continue its Defense Partnership Program.

MIDDLETOWN – SENEDIA has received a $195,500 grant from Real Jobs RI to continue its Defense Partnership Program, the workforce development organization announced Wednesday. The partnership program connects job seekers with hiring, internship and training opportunities in the state’s $7.6 billion defense industry. The industry in Rhode Island represents more than 10% of the

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MIDDLETOWN – SENEDIA has received a $195,500 grant from Real Jobs RI to continue its Defense Partnership Program, the workforce development organization announced Wednesday. The partnership program connects job seekers with hiring, internship and training opportunities in the state’s $7.6 billion defense industry. The industry in Rhode Island represents more than 10% of the state's economy and accounts for $119 billion in economic output across New England, said Matthew Weldon, director of the R.I. Department of Labor and Training, which oversees the Real Jobs RI program. “The size and strength of the sector demands that we have a robust career exploration and job training strategy that is aligned to the needs of employers. We’re proud to support and partner with SENEDIA to develop this next-generation workforce,” Weldon said. Since 2016, Middletown-based SENEDIA – Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance – has assisted with more than 700 hands-on internships, industry-recognized certificates and career support, as well as more than 350 job placements. “Across New England, more than 407,000 people are working in defense. From cybersecurity to undersea innovation to advanced manufacturing, these are high-wage, high-growth, and rewarding careers," said Molly Donohue Magee, CEO of SENEDIA. "Real Jobs has been an essential partner in ensuring we have the skilled workforce necessary to seize these opportunities today and in the future.” Real Jobs RI has supported the Defense Partnership Program for a decade, with training and job placements in innovative defense fields, including information technology and cybersecurity, engineering/science, supply chain management and business support. In 2025, the program assisted more than 400 young people at regional career fairs, employed 24 interns with SENEDIA member companies, placed 52 applicants into good-paying jobs, and facilitated employment support for more than 130 candidates, including resume help, outreach to employers and technical certifications. Along with the Defense Partnership Program, SENEDIA provides workforce development through the New England Submarine Shipbuilding Partnership, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense. The partnership has trained more than 5,100 people for job opportunities in Rhode Island and boosted the talent pipeline from elementary schools, higher education and advanced training.