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2/4/2016
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Rep. Azzinaro highlights CCRI Westerly Jobs Skills Training Center project
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 STATE HOUSE – Rep. Samuel A. Azzinaro (D-Dist. 37, Westerly) was joined by Governor Gina Raimondo, Senate Minority Leader Dennis L. Algiere (R-Dist. 38, Westerly, Charlestown, North Kingstown), CCRI President Dr. Meghan Hughes, philanthropist Charles Royce, representatives from Electric Boat, and Westerly Superintendent Roy Seitsinger, Jr. at the Westerly train station on Feb. 4 to announce plans for a new CCRI Jobs Skills Training Center in downtown Westerly adjacent to the train station. The purpose of the facility is to train students and prepare them for high paying jobs with companies like Electric Boat.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for our community and I am proud to have helped secure funding for this exciting project. It is going to bring new life to our downtown, while also serving as a training center for Westerly residents to learn new skills for good paying jobs,” said Representative Azzinaro. “I’d like to thank Speaker Mattiello, who made a commitment of state support; Governor Raimondo; Senate Minority Leader Algiere; the civic-minded folks at Electric Boat and the Westerly School Department. This is a perfect example of what can be accomplished for the community through productive and innovative public-private partnerships,” added Representative Azzinaro.
In 2014, Representative Azzinaro was speaking with Charles Royce and thanked him for his efforts to revitalize downtown Westerly. Royce commented that a CCRI presence was necessary for the revitalization and he pledged financial support. Representative Azzinaro then mobilized House Speaker Nicholas A. Mattiello (D-Dist. 15, Cranston) and then CCRI President Ray DePasquale to meet with Charles Royce.
Collectively, they identified the need for a traditional community college program with specialized job training, focusing on a large regional employer as an anchor tenant. Representative Azzinaro then recruited Electric Boat to establish a campus located between its Groton and Quonset Point facilities.
Permits for the project have been obtained and construction will commence soon on the site near the Westerly train station. The campus will consist of a job skills training center and 18 academic classrooms. The center will be dedicated to enrolling and training high-skill, high-wage workers in electrical, maritime pipefitting, maritime sheet metal, and carpentry. Electric Boat is working closely with CCRI to develop the curriculum.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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