Governor Gina Raimondo Congratulates New England Institute of Technology for its Contribution in Training Workers Hired by Local Manufacturers
WARWICK, RI – Governor Gina Raimondo along with Scott Jensen, Director of the Rhode
Island Department of Labor and Training, joined the faculty, staff and students of
New England Institute of Technology’s Shipbuilding/Marine and Advanced Manufacturing
Institute (SAMI) at a celebration to commemorate the 150 students who have completed
an intensive 300 hour machinist training program and have been hired by local
manufacturing companies. Today, 15 students proudly received their certificates of
completion.
«October is Rhode Island Manufacturing Month, so it is especially fitting to
recognize the key role that New England Institute of Technology plays in training
unemployed Rhode Islanders for challenging and rewarding careers in advanced
manufacturing,» said Governor Gina Raimondo. «I’m excited to celebrate the hiring of
the 150th graduate of New England Tech’s Shipbuilding/Marine and Advanced
Manufacturing Institute. Because of the substantial investments we’ve made in skills
training, our partnership with New England Tech and the support of nearly 100
employers that have hired SAMI graduates, Rhode Island is positioned to lead a new
industrial revolution in advanced industries.
SAMI was developed through grants provided by the United States Department of Labor,
the Governor’s Workforce Board of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Department of Labor
and Training, the Rhode Island Foundation and Champlin Foundations. SAMI’s goal is
to train skilled entry level individuals who are reliable and productive workers and
connect them with local employers. Since the first class in 2013, more than 400
individuals have participated in the SAMI welding and advanced manufacturing
programs.
«The Department of Labor and Training and Governor’s Workforce Board are proud to
partner with NEIT to train Rhode Island workers to use the cutting-edge equipment
found on today’s high-tech manufacturing floors and learn valuable skills that many
local manufacturing companies want,» said DLT Director Scott Jensen. «DLT is
committed to implementing the Governor’s skills agenda, delivering innovative job
training to ensure that manufacturing remains a vibrant part of the Rhode Island
economy for generations.»
Other agencies that have contributed to the success of the SAMI program include the
Rhode Island Manufacturers Association, netWORKRI American Job Centers, Workforce
Partnership of Greater Rhode Island and Workforce Solutions of Providence/Cranston.
Nine of the nearly 100 SAMI employer partners that have already hired today’s new
program completers also attended the ceremony and included General Dynamics/Electric
Boat, Greystone of Lincoln, Guill Tool and Engineering Company, Mahr Federal, Inc.,
Rhode Island Carbide Tool Company, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, VIBCO
Vibrators and Wardwell Braiding Company.
For more information regarding the SAMI program, please visit
www.SAMIri.org
Workforce Development Training Grants and Programs, at New England Tech at
401-739-5000 or email fsantaniello@neit.edu
Under the leadership of President Richard I. Gouse, New England Institute of
Technology is a private, non-profit technical university with an enrollment of more
than 3,000 students and is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and
Colleges, Inc. Founded in 1940, the university offers associate, bachelor’s,
master’s, and on-line degree programs focusing on a proven combination of technical
expertise coupled with hands-on learning. Follow news of the university on
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Blog.