Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo, along with Scott Jensen, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT), attended New England Tech’s Shipbuilding/Marine and Advanced Manufacturing Institute (SAMI) at a celebration to commemorate the 150 students who have completed an intensive 300-hour machinist training program and have been hired by local manufacturing companies. At the October 12, 2016, event, 15 additional NEIT students proudly received their certificates of completion.
“October is Rhode Island Manufacturing Month, so it is especially fitting to recognize the key role that New England Institute of Technology plays in training unemployed Rhode Islanders for challenging and rewarding careers in advanced manufacturing,” said Governor Raimondo. “I’m excited to celebrate the hiring of the 150th graduate of New England Tech’s Shipbuilding/Marine and Advanced Manufacturing Institute. Because of the substantial investments we’ve made in skills training, our partnership with New England Tech and the support of nearly 100 employers that have hired SAMI graduates, Rhode Island is positioned to lead a new industrial revolution in advanced industries.”
“I’m excited to celebrate the hiring of the 150th graduate of New England Tech’s Shipbuilding/Marine and Advanced Manufacturing Institute…” ~ RI Governor Gina Raimondo
SAMI was developed through grants provided by the United States Department of Labor, the Governor’s Workforce Board of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, the Rhode Island Foundation and Champlin Foundations. SAMI’s goal is to train skilled entry-level individuals and connect them with local employers. Since the first class in 2013, more than 400 individuals have participated in the SAMI welding and advanced manufacturing programs.
“The Department of Labor and Training and Governor’s Workforce Board are proud to partner with NEIT to train Rhode Island workers to use the cutting-edge equipment found on today’s high-tech manufacturing floors and learn valuable skills that many local manufacturing companies want,” said DLT Director Scott Jensen.
Nine of the nearly 100 SAMI employer partners that have already hired the October 12 program completers also attended the ceremony and included General Dynamics/Electric Boat, Greystone of Lincoln, Guill Tool and Engineering Company, Mahr Federal, Inc., Rhode Island Carbide Tool Company, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, VIBCO Vibrators, and Wardwell Braiding Company. 
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