Workforce board give $2M grants for training

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Employers, community groups and others are receiving nearly $2 million in grants from the Governor's Workforce Board to help train hundreds of unemployed and underemployed Rhode Islanders for jobs, Gov. Lincoln Chafee announced on Thursday.

The grants range from $130,000 to $250,000 and go to 10 places, including Rhode Island Hospital and New England Institute of Technology, to help pay for internships and training for about 540 people. Rhode Island has one of the nation's highest unemployment rates — 9.4 percent in February.

One program, run by Amos House of Providence, will enroll 60 people who are homeless or have low incomes in a training program in customer service for the culinary industry.

Fifty unemployed people will be enrolled in a shipbuilding and machine technology program at New England Tech. The grant to the RI Marine Trades Association of Bristol will help it train 20 unemployed and underemployed people at boat builders, shipyards and other locations.

North Smithfield's St. Antoine Residence will give 150 people health care and certified nursing assistant training.