Building Futures

Rhode Island is leading the way in school leadership! The Pathways Alliance recently recognized RI's Registered Apprenticeship Principal Program (RIPRAP) in a case study examining how Rhode Island Department of Education - RIDE leveraged the Center for Leadership and Educational Equity's Principal Residency Network to create a Registered Apprenticeship pathway.

RIPRAP provides an opportunity for aspiring school leaders to gain experience as assistant principals and deans while equipping them with the tools, support, and mentoring they need to be successful. We are proud to have partnered with RIDE & CLEE to build this incredibly impactful program. Read more: https://loom.ly/qljZgw4

Wondering how you can help a coworker or friend who is struggling with their mental health or substance use? Join Building Futures on August 12 from 5-7pm for a Recovery Ally Training. Learn more and RSVP: bfri.org/recoveryally

📢 Calling all Building Futures Alumni! Join us on July 22, from 4-6pm, for a budgeting workshop hosted by Navigant Credit Union. RSVP: www.bfri.org/budgeting101

On June 24, Building Futures hosted 17 RI Building Trades members for our first Recovery Peer Network gathering. The event brought together tradespeople in recovery for an All Recovery Meeting, a workshop on telling your recovery story, and, most importantly, the chance to build connections with others who understand the journey. Recovery is strengthened through community, and this was a powerful first step in creating a network of support across Rhode Island's construction industry.

This is more than just a meeting - it's a growing movement to remind every tradesperson that recovery is possible and that no one has to do it alone. Join us for our next Recovery Peer Network gathering on Wednesday, August 19 @ 5:00 PM. Sign up here: https://loom.ly/XLXQrUM

Whether you're newly in recovery or have decades of sobriety, tradespeople with all lengths of recovery are welcome. Connect, share, listen, and help build a stronger recovery community in the trades. We hope to see you there!

Congratulations to The Institute of Labor Studies & Research (ILSR)'s newest cohort of Teacher Apprentices! Three apprentices from the Pawtucket School Department marked the start of their Registered Teacher Apprenticeship at a signing ceremony this week. We're excited to follow their continued professional growth during the program and see the lasting impact these highly trained educators will have on Pawtucket students.


Rhode Island College (RIC)

Join us in congratulating Rhode Island Health Center Association's new Dental Assistant Registered Apprenticeship program, which will equip apprentices with the skills they need to provide outstanding patient care, day-to-day patient administration, and support to other members of the dental staff.

Congratulations to AccessPoint RI on the launch of their Direct Support Professional (DSP) Registered Apprenticeship. DSPs provide person-centered support to individuals with differing abilities in residential and community-based settings, assisting with daily living, health and wellness, and goal achievement.

Registered Apprenticeship is working to close workforce gaps in Rhode Island’s healthcare system. Thanks to our work with Brown University Health, RI now has a paid pipeline to develop Surgical Technologists – workers whose skills are urgently needed in the in operating room.

Take it from our President & CEO, Andrew Cortes, “Government already has the data – [apprenticeship] works. So, when employers adopt it, the system responds. Funding, policy and infrastructure all align around a model that already proves its value.”

https://loom.ly/m4MBb1Y

Surgical technologist pilot turned apprenticeship helping hospitals fill vacancies In the operating rooms of Rhode Island hospitals, the work moves fast. Scalpels are handed off, instrument trays are counted and procedures unfold with a precision most patients never see. But behind that choreography is a critical, often overlooked role: surgical technologists. And they’re facing...

Are you in the trades and living in recovery? Join our first Peer Network event on Wednesday, June 24 from 5-7pm, an opportunity for workers in recovery and allies from across the trades to come together to work towards building a stronger recovery community across RI's building trades. Register at www.bfri.org/peer-network

Congratulations to the 2026 graduates of Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children's Early Childhood Educator Registered Apprenticeship Program!

We're proud to partner with RIAEYC to improve compensation and create career advancement opportunities for early childhood educators across the state.