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9/3/2024
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Rep. Azzinaro hosts Sen. Whitehouse for Westerly Education Center visit
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 STATE HOUSE – Rep. Samuel A. Azzinaro (D-Dist. 37, Westerly) today hosted U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse for a tour of the Westerly Education Center. Representative Azzinaro was also joined on the tour by Sen. Victoria Gu (D-Dist. 38, Charlestown, Westerly, South Kingstown).
The Westerly Education Center is managed by the State of Rhode Island’s Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner. Dr. Shannon Gilkey, the commissioner, attended the tour along with Tom Pearce, the director of the center.
Founded in 2017, the Westerly Education Center is a public-private collaboration designed to bring together higher education, business, industry, and community partners to expand postsecondary attainment in degrees, certifications and industry-recognized credentials.
Representative Azzinaro helped to develop the unique public-private partnership when he convinced philanthropist Charles Royce to make an initial investment. He has also played a crucial role in securing the necessary annual state funding and helped to obtain commitments from Electric Boat, CCRI, RIC, URI and various state agencies to develop and support the center.
“The center has become a remarkable success story and I thought Senator Whitehouse should see the great work being done in the community. The Westerly Education Center, in less than eight years, has provided workforce training to more than 30,000 students in high-skilled jobs. Starting with one trade, Electric Boat now offers training for eight different trades and has hired 4,000 workers at its facilities in Quonset Point and Groton, Conn, with many of these workers coming from Westerly. It has become a true jewel of the town and I am proud and grateful that the center continues to enhance the lives of Westerly’s workers and residents,” said Representative Azzinaro.
“The Westerly Education Center is vital resource for the residents of Westerly and its success is evident when looking at the thousands of well-paying and high-skilled jobs that it has helped create for residents in our community. This innovative model of education and job training is a great example of what is possible through public and private collaboration and the center deserves our continued support as it uplifts our community and its residents,” said Senator Gu.
Photo - From the left: Sen. Victoria Gu, Rep. Samuel A. Azzinaro and U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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