Real Jobs Rhode Island - Providence Business News

AWARENESS MANDATE: A state law that went into effect on Jan. 1 requires all hotel employees and short-term rental operators to receive training on how to spot signs of human trafficking among guests. As of now, there are no penalties for noncompliance.  PBN FILE PHOTO/WILLIAM HAMILTON

New R.I. law aims to curb human trafficking

Focus 05/08/2026

Hotels and short-term rental operators in Rhode Island are being required to do their part to prevent human trafficking. In fact, it’s the law. As...

Report: R.I. manufacturing sector looks to new markets, investments in workforce...

Economy 04/01/2026

PROVIDENCE – From accelerating industry adoption of new technologies, opening up access to new markets and strengthening talent pipelines through job training and collaboration,...

State launches free workforce training for hospitality workers ahead of World...

Economy 03/25/2026

CRANSTON – The R.I. Department of Labor and Training has awarded $183,750 to the Rhode Island Hospitality Education Foundation to support a statewide training...

IN DEMAND: Karl Wadensten, center, CEO and president of VIBCO Inc. and R.I. Commerce Corp. board member, talks about the need for skilled workers during the first panel discussion of Providence Business News’ 2026 Workforce Development Summit at the Providence Marriott Downtown on Feb. 19. With Wadensten on the panel are, from left, Matthew Weldon, director of the R.I. Department of Labor and Training; Farouk Rajab, CEO and president of both the Rhode Island Hospitality Association and the Rhode Island Hospitality Education Foundation; and Rosa Brito, manager of workforce development at Brown University Health. PBN Editor Michael Mello, standing, moderates. PBN PHOTO/MIKE SKORSKI

DLT urges employers to use Real Jobs RI amid uncertain federal...

Government 02/27/2026

Rhode Island has built what Matthew Weldon, director of the R.I. Department of Labor and Training, calls one of the most replicated workforce systems...

Utilize workforce training

Editorial and Op-Ed 02/27/2026

The state’s Real Jobs Rhode Island workforce-training program has made a difference, serving 50,000 workers and roughly 7,000 employers since its inception in 2015. Despite...

We Make RI to host first Maker Fair of 2026 in...

Manufacturing 01/08/2026

CRANSTON – Manufacturer training and development group We Make RI will host its first Maker Fair of 2026 on Jan. 8. The free event, with...

McKee vows no broad-based tax hikes, sustaining existing budget investments

Economy 01/14/2025

PROVIDENCE – During his fourth "State of the State" address, Gov. Daniel J. McKee on Tuesday said the administration plans to build upon the...

R.I.’s nonprofits can’t go silent in uncertain times

Commentary 01/03/2025

Rhode Island’s nonprofit sector is facing a double threat: a looming state budget deficit as American Rescue Plan Act and Inflation Reduction Act funds...

RIBBA launches next Emerging Leaders Development Program

Business Services 12/06/2024

LISA RANGLIN is president of the Rhode Island Black Business Association, which has kicked off the next cohort of its Emerging Leaders Development Program...