CCRI Launches Bold Expansion of Work-Based Learning to Strengthen Rhode Island’s Workforce

05/22/2025

Warwick, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) will launch the next phase of work-based learning to increase internships for students to work directly in workplace environments, gaining valuable skills and experience necessary for college and career success.

This is part of a broader initiative at CCRI to embed work-based learning opportunities into all degree programs by the Spring 2026 semester— making CCRI one of only a handful of community colleges nationwide to fully commit to work-based learning. The Career Services team has worked closely with faculty and employer partners to seamlessly integrate career readiness into the curriculum, providing equitable experiences for students to apply their academic and technical skills in practical contexts, develop essential employability attributes, actively explore a wide array of career opportunities, and begin to prepare for their professions.

“Employer engagement is vital to our vision of equity and access,” said Dr. Rosemary A. Costigan, Interim President of CCRI. “When companies invest time and expertise on our campuses—whether through panel discussions, project mentorship, or site visits—students gain firsthand insight into industry expectations, and employers build relationships with a diverse pool of emerging talent.”

“Internships represent a higher bar of student readiness,” Dr. Costigan explained. “They immerse students in sustained, project-based work, deepen their professional networks, and position them for competitive job opportunities upon graduation. This next phase aligns with our strategic goal to prepare graduates who are not just job ready, but career ready.”

Parallel to internships, CCRI is launching an Office of Apprenticeships under the Division of Workforce Partnerships this summer to scale registered apprenticeship programs—a proven pathway that blends paid, on-the-job training with related instruction. Apprenticeships at CCRI:

• Offer students work-based learning embedded in credit-bearing curricula
• Connect apprentices with apprenticeship sponsors in industries such as advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and IT
• Support underrepresented populations through cohort-based models and wraparound services

“Apprenticeships are the gold standard of work-based learning,” Dr. Costigan noted. “Our new Office of Apprenticeships will serve as a hub for employer partnerships, student support, and program innovation—ensuring that every apprentice gains marketable skills and a recognized credential.”

“By integrating internships and apprenticeships into our academic framework, we’re strengthening community partnerships and creating tangible pathways from classroom to career,” Dr. Costigan concluded. “Together, CCRI and our employer partners are unlocking opportunity for every student.”

Employers, like longtime collaborator and leader in financial services Fidelity Investments, recognize the value of engaging in work-based learning at CCRI. This semester, Fidelity volunteers from areas such as customer service, wealth management, and technology engaged more than 1,000 students through campus-wide panels and virtual discussions, sharing real-world insights on critical soft skills such as active listening, teamwork, and professional communication. Their expertise illuminated classroom themes and emphasized the importance of adaptability, emotional intelligence, and networking in today’s dynamic workplace.

Frank D’Ercole, Vice-President at Fidelity Investments shared, “Our associates are honored to share their time and expertise with students to help prepare them for the workforce. We’re excited to see the growing interest in this initiative and the positive impact it continues to have.”

These efforts directly advance CCRI’s strategic plan, which prioritizes equitable access, student success, and career readiness. Through establishing intentional partnerships, broadly embedding work-based learning and expanding access to internships and apprenticeships, the college is ensuring that every student can gain the skills, experiences, and credentials needed to thrive in a competitive workforce—and that employers across the state can rely on CCRI graduates to meet the demands of tomorrow’s economy.

Share on Social Media