In partnership with National Skills Coalition, the Skills2Compete-Rhode Island campaign seeks to raise awareness of the need to train Rhode Island residents for middle-skill jobs, which require more than high school but less than a four-year degree. These jobs make up the largest portion of Rhode Island's labor market. Prior to the recession, Rhode Island was already experiencing shortages of middle-skill workers in crucial industries. With high unemployment throughout the nation, this is precisely the time to ensure Rhode Island is training the middle-skill workforce that will be critical to economic recovery and long-term success. 

Key Partners

National Skills Coalition
Rhode Island Workforce Alliance

Major Efforts

With National Skills Coalition, released Rhode Island's Forgotten Middle-Skill Jobs, which generated widespread media coverage.

As part of National Skills Coalition’s Skills2Compete fly-in, representatives from Skills2Compete-Rhode Island met with members of Rhode Island's Congressional Delegation in Washington, DC, to discuss report findings in November 2009. 

Publications and Resources

Reports:

Rhode Island's Forgotten Middle-Skill Jobs
The Workforce Alliance, October 2009

Report | Press Release

Media List

• R.I. unemployment hits 12.8% | Brown Herald Daily, 10.13.2009
• A new Workforce Alliance report says R.I. should focus on ‘middle-skill’ job training | Providence Journal, 10.06.2009