WPRO News

Governor Gina Raimondo visited North Providence High School Wednesday to promote two education proposals in her budget.

Raimondo is asking the General Assembly to allocate $2.2 million in spending for two programs to help partner local schools with businesses in order to promote economic growth. The Governor said the programs are aimed at teaching students the right skills to land jobs post-graduation.

“This model is a perfect model for Rhode Island, we have to be doing more to equip students with the skills they need to get a job,” said Raimondo.

Raimondo’s budget calls for $900,000 to be allocated for the program P-Tech, which partners businesses with high schools and colleges to create internship opportunities for students to work towards an Associate’s Degree and gain job experience.

Additionally, Raimondo wants $1.3 million set aside to allow qualifying high school students to take dual, and concurrent enrollment classes at a local community college at no expense.

“One of the best things about Rhode Island is that we’re small, so we should be the most innovative, so we’ll start with three or four schools and I would love to see it in every school,” said Raimondo.

Raimondo believes the General Assembly will be supportive of her proposals.