PROVIDENCE, RI – In an effort to help Rhode Island’s long-term unemployed return to the workforce and find full time jobs, U.S. Senator Jack Reed today announced that Rhode Island will receive $7,516,324 in federal H1-B Visa funds to support local workforce partnerships.  Workforce Solutions of Providence/Cranston and The Workforce Partnership of Greater Rhode Island will use the federal funds to team up with Tech Collective, Rhode Island's technology industry association, to develop a job training pipeline for middle and high-skill job placements in the Information Technology (IT) field.

Administered by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the Ready to Work Partnership grant is designed to help build a pipeline of talented U.S. workers and enhance partnerships between employers, non-profits, and the job training system to help train and connect the long-term unemployed to work.  The funded activities will focus on preparing unemployed individuals for jobs in industries that utilize H-1B nonimmigrant visas for skilled international workers, as the program is funded by the fees that employers pay when applying for these visas.

“This is excellent news for the state that will help more Rhode Islanders find good-paying jobs in high growth industries.  I commend our workforce investment boards, the partner colleges and universities, Tech Collective, and other local training providers who are part of this endeavor.  They are working overtime to try to help connect the long-term unemployed to work and I will continue doing all I can to support their efforts,” said U.S. Senator Jack Reed, a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. 

The federal funds may be used for programs that focus on employer engagement, individualized counseling, job placement assistance, and work-based training that facilitate hiring for jobs where employers currently use foreign workers on H-1B visas.

Rhode Island was among 21 states that submitted successful applications for  DOL’s Ready to Work Partnership grant.  Senator Reed strongly supported the state’s application.

For more information visit: http://www.doleta.gov/readytowork/

 -end-