Governor Raimondo to Launch Talent Sourcing Solution to Strengthen Connection between Unemployed Job Seekers and Employers

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Governor Gina M. Raimondo, joined by Providence Mayor Jorge O. Elorza, state economic and workforce development officials, and business leaders, will launch Skills for Rhode Island’s Future. This new public-private talent sourcing initiative encourages employers to commit to inclusive hiring practices and to remove barriers that often prevent qualified long-term unemployed and underemployed job seekers from job opportunities. Skills for RI’s Future will work with employers and other state workforce programs — including Real Jobs RI, TechHire RI, and P-TECH – to match them with motivated Rhode Islanders looking for jobs, especially those who have been unemployed longer than six months.

“The best words I can hear are ‘I got the job!’ – I want every Rhode Islander to be able to say that,” said Governor Gina M. Raimondo. “And the best way to make this a reality is to train job seekers for work that actually exists. This is the essence of ‘demand-driven’ programs like Real Jobs RI, TechHire RI, and P-TECH. Now, with the launch of Skills for Rhode Island’s Future, we’ll have that missing link to make the direct connection between the workers we are training and the businesses that are hiring. I’m excited to keep the momentum going, and want to thank the Congressional Delegation for their support in securing funding to bring this initiative to Rhode Island.”

Skills for RI’s Future is based off the successful model created by Skills for Chicagoland’s Future. This is the first statewide launch of this model, and the first expansion of the initiative outside of Chicago. The Rhode Island Congressional Delegation’s advocacy made this initiative possible. In June of 2015, Rhode Island obtained a $5.25-million USDOL Sector Partnership-National Emergency Grant of which $1.25 million is funding Skills for Rhode Island’s Future.

WHO:

Governor Gina M. Raimondo

Providence Mayor Jorge O. Elorza

William F. Hatfield, Market President, Bank of America

Officials of Skills for RI’s Future, RI’s new talent sourcing solution

DLT Director Scott Jensen

WHAT: The launch of Skills for RI’s Future to match businesses with qualified, motivated job seekers. Many of these businesses are already collaborating with state programs (Real Jobs RI, TechHire RI, P-TECH) on job training programs. Skills for RI’s Future is designed to serve as the missing link between the businesses and the job seekers.

Note: There will be speaking program, followed by a smaller roundtable discussion in the cafeteria with the Governor and job seekers who this program is designed to support. Both parts of the program are open press. 

WHEN: Wednesday, October 19, 2016 – 10:00 a.m.

WHERE:

Bank of America Call Center

3400 Pawtucket Avenue, Riverside, RI

All attendees must park and enter via the lower level lobby in the rear of the building.  No admittance via the main entrance (facing Pawtucket Avenue) will be allowed.

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