Rhode Island employers are developing the highly-skilled workforce Rhode Island needs while creating opportunities for Rhode Islanders to enter family-sustaining careers through Registered Apprenticeship.

Building Futures’ Apprenticeship Rhode Island Initiative is our partnership with RIDLT to expand the effective use of Registered Apprenticeship to new industries and occupations. We provide no-cost technical assistance to adapt Registered Apprenticeship to meet your needs.

Registered Apprenticeship (RA) offers an excellent return on investment.

RA Works For Employers

Every $1.00 invested by employers in Registered Apprenticeship Programs returns $1.44 to employers in increased productivity and reduced turnover.

RA Works for People

People who complete Registered Apprenticeship Programs earn $300,000 more than their peers over the lifetime of their careers.

RA Works for Communities

Every public $1.00 invested in Registered Apprenticeship returns $1.27 to local communities.

Download the Apprenticeship RI Brochure

How does Registered Apprenticeship Work?

Industry employers customize RA programs to train for high skill, high demand occupations.

Apprenticeship is employment. Apprentices earn wage increases as they demonstrate skills learned and increased productivity.

Apprentices receive structured on-the-job training from an experienced mentor.

Technical instruction supports on-the-job training. Instruction can be provided by the program sponsor, through another provider, or both.

Apprentice employees should reflect the communities in which they operate. Strong non-discrimination, anti-harassment, and recruitment practices ensure access, equity, and inclusion.

Apprentices enjoy worker protections. Rigorous training equips them with the skills they need to succeed and the proper supervision to be safe.

Apprentices earn a portable, nationally-recognized post-secondary credential, demonstrating to employers they are fully trained.

Who are the partners involved?

Sponsors of Registered Apprenticeship Programs lead the program design and its operation. Program sponsors can be one or more employers, an industry association on behalf of its employer members, or a joint effort of unions and signatory employers.

Participating Employers collaborate with the program sponsors on design and are responsible for mentorship of the apprentice during on- the-job learning.

RI Department of Labor and Training is the designated State Apprenticeship Agency for the U.S. Department of Labor, oversees compliance and quality reviews, and is home to the State Apprenticeship Council.

Building Futures is home to the Apprenticeship RI initiative, expands Registered Apprenticeship in new occupations, and provides operational support to the apprenticeship system.

How can Building Futures Help?

Building Futures’ Apprenticeship Rhode Island team helps the program sponsor in every step of Registered Apprenticeship Program design and registration with the State Apprenticeship Agency and supports the RA program launch and operation.

Registered Apprenticeship Works for Every Industry

Apprenticeship Rhode Island has helped nearly 200 employers implement new non-trade Registered Apprenticeship programs in 38 new occupations and is working with new partners to develop new RA programs.

Active Registered Apprenticeship Expansion Occupations

Healthcare Occupations
Behavioral Health Case Manager
Behavioral Technician
Community Health Worker
Home Health Nurse
In-Patient Nurse
Licensed Practical Nurse
Medical Assistant
Recovery Coach
Ultrasound Technician

Care Economy
Childcare Specialist
Early Childhood Educator
Family Child Care Provider
Case Manager

Marine Trades
Commercial Fisher
Maritime Pipefitter
Maritime Ship-fitter & Welder
Maritime Outside Machinist
Maritime Electronics Technician
Oyster Farm Worker

Manufacturing
Composite Technician
Tool & Die Maker
Bench Jeweler

Plant Based Industries
Arborist/Arborist Crew Leader
Hardscape Mason
Horticultural Technician
Groundskeeper
Small Scale Sustainable Farmer

Other Occupations
Business Associate
Cook / Line Cook
Construction Project Manager
Digital Content Producer
Water Systems Operator
Police Patrol Officer

RI Employers Are Meeting their Workforce Goals with Registered Apprenticeship

“Our Registered Apprenticeship Program is not just about training a great employee, it’s about creating a great culture, and a great team. You get see that person grow — how they take steps forward, learn a task, and that task becomes easier to translate to the next.”
Shaun Marcellus, Golf Course Superintendent, Wanumetonomy Golf & Country Club
Groundskeeper Registered Apprenticeship Program

“Registered Apprenticeship is a great opportunity to invest in people and their professional growth. For our industry, we need to take every opportunity we can to develop people, improve their skills, and increase retention rates. Registered Apprenticeship does that.”
Richard Boschwitz, Director Epic Health Services, Bayada Home Health Care
Home Health LPN & Home Health RN Registered Apprenticeship Programs

“It’s an opportunity to diversify and give more people an opportunity to get into a career. Our Registered Apprenticeship Program is a pathway to construction management. The typical entry path is college, but with Registered Apprenticeship they get exposure, we do a lot of training and the company will sponsor them and pay for further education.”
Lori Corsi, Vice President of Administration, Dimeo Construction Company
Assistant Construction Manager Registered Apprenticeship Program