Foulkes rolls out first part of her economic plan with a $100 Million "Classroom-to-Career" proposal

Practical approach for jobs and the economy

Steve Ahlquist

Gubernatorial candidate Helena Buonanno Foulkes (Democrat) announced the first component of “Believe in Rhode Island,” her comprehensive economic plan to give “every Rhode Islander a real shot at a good-paying job, a career, and a better future.”

“Over the next few weeks, I’m going to be rolling out parts of Believe in Rhode Island, my comprehensive economic plan that I will implement as governor,” said Foulkes. 

“My plan is grounded in the belief in our people, our talent, and the incredible assets that Rhode Island has to offer. For too long, our elected leaders have been trying to tax incentive or special deal their way into economic success. Instead, we should invest in Rhode Islanders and lean into what our incredible state has to offer. I’m proud... to announce my Classroom-to-Career Initiative, the largest investment in career and technical education in the history of Rhode Island.

“Every parent I meet wants the same thing for their kid: a good, stable job and a future where they don’t have to leave Rhode Island to find a job. For too long, we’ve told young people that the only path to a successful career runs through a four-year college, but talking to the men and women in our trades, the operating engineers, the electricians, the plumbers, the iron workers, and the carpenters, they’ll tell you they have stable careers, good pay, and pride in the work they do. 

"It’s the same for our healthcare workers, our advanced manufacturers, and our marine technicians. All Rhode Island needs is more people in all of these careers, and that’s why, as governor, I’ll propose a $100 million bond to fund capital construction for career and technical education facilities at or near high schools throughout the state, so our young people can learn career track skills and start careers with Rhode Island companies straight after graduation.”

“My classroom to career plan has four key points,” said Foulkes.

1. Create a Pro-Career Education Culture—and Fund Programs That Support It: I will champion and expand Rhode Island’s classroom-to-career opportunities. I’m proposing a $100 million bond to fund capital construction for career and technical education facilities throughout the state. This bond will go toward building and expanding classroom-to-career training facilities across Rhode Island, so we can continue to provide essential skills training—and stable, good-paying careers—to our young people.
2. Focus on Building Skills in Growth Sectors: We released a plan to build 20,000 housing units in Rhode Island, paid for by a tax on millionaires. And we have pledged to install solar arrays with battery storage on public buildings, as well as small businesses and residences. Because the state is providing capital to encourage growth in these critical sectors, companies and employers can be confident that the business will be there. We also need to ensure our workforce is ready to take advantage of the thousands of jobs these investments will create. That’s why we will focus our investments on the skills needed in growth sectors across the state to train skilled workers—from operating engineers to carpenters to painters to electricians.
3. Partner with RI Businesses to Create a Skilled Workforce Pipeline: Rhode Island businesses need skilled workers, and they should look to our young people to fill those jobs. Under my administration, Rhode Island companies will work directly with our schools to inform our career and technical education curriculum, ensuring students learn skills they can immediately put to use in a career right after graduation.
4. Expand Technical Education Opportunities: We’ll expand capacity at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) and New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) for adult learners pursuing classroom-to-career credentials in high-demand fields, including advanced and custom manufacturing, marine technology, life sciences, health care, and construction trades.

“This is one of the biggest investments in career education our state’s ever made, and it’s long overdue,” concluded Foulkes. “I’m so excited to have the support of Mayor Palacina, Local 57, and I’m looking forward to being a governor who creates great-paying jobs and expands opportunities for the men and women in the trades. It’s time to bet on our people, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do as governor.”

Foulkes was joined by the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 57 and Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena, Jr., both of whom endorsed her during the event.

“I am proud to endorse Helena Buonanno Foulkes for governor,” said Mayor Polisena. “She will be a great partner for our cities and towns and understands what it takes to create good-paying jobs. That’s exactly the leadership Rhode Island needs to grow our local economies. I’m confident she is the right person for the job, and I will be working hard to get Helena elected this fall.”

“This proposal would be a game changer for the men and women in the building trades,” said James J. White, President of Local 57. “Building and modernizing classroom-to-career facilities means good construction jobs for our members right now, and a stronger workforce pipeline for years to come. We know Helena is the person who can actually get this done, and we are proud to stand with her and support her for governor.” 

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