Shipbuilding and Advanced Manufacturing Institute at NEIT

The Shipbuilding and Advanced Manufacturing Institute (SAMI) was established by New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) to train workers hired by regional manufacturers. Students participate in an intensive, customized 300-hour machinist training program.

“It’s 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 Gina Raimondo in October of 2016. “I’m excited to celebrate the hiring of the 150th graduate of New England Tech’s Shipbuilding 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 about 100 employers that have hired SAMI graduates, Rhode Island is positioned to lead a new industrial revolution in advanced industries.”

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 who are reliable and productive workers and connect them with local employers.

“The Department of Labor and Training and the Governor’s Workforce Board are proud to partner with New England Tech 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 former DLT Director Scott Jensen. “DLT is committed to implementing the Governor’s skills agenda, delivering innovative job training to ensure that manufacturing remains a vibrant part of the Rhode Island economy for generations.”

Other agencies that have contributed to the success of the SAMI program include the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association, netWORKRI American Job Centers, The Workforce Partnership of Greater Rhode Island, and Workforce Solutions of Providence/Cranston.

Program Overviews & Resources

  • Machine Program

    The machine program curriculum places a strong emphasis on learning manual machine processes, and gradually builds to expose selected participants to Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) operations based on each student’s skills and abilities. The machine curriculum is delivered by a team of instructors with many years of experience who are recognized in their industry for their expertise. The SAMI Program then connects these students to manufacturers in need of skilled machinists.

    21st Century Machinists:

    Machinists set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments and may also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines. They are able to set up and operate both manual and CNC machines by reading and following a variety of blueprints and diagrams.

    • Average Entry Level Annual Wage = $30,230
    • Average Annual Wage = $46,080
  • Welding Program

    The welding program curriculum places a strong emphasis on learning the skill and science of welding in order to produce welders with exceptional entry-level skills. The welding curriculum is delivered by a team of instructors with many years of experience who are recognized in their industry for their expertise. The SAMI Program then connects our welding students to manufacturers in need of skilled welders.

    The 260-hour welding program curriculum was developed, in conjunction with our welding lab, to replicate real-world work experience. The curriculum is a combination of classroom and shop experiences to acquire basic skills in welding, cutting, and fabricating that are necessary for shipbuilding and other industries that use welding.

    Curriculum Highlights

    After being accepted into the welding program you will learn and experience:

    • An overview of the industries that employ welders
    • The history, fundamentals, basic welding metallurgy, and theory of welding
    • Classroom & Hands-On practice with shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), flux-corded arc welding (FCAW), gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), and oxy-fuel welding (OFC) processes
    • Shop safety, welding and cutting safety, safely handling fuel gasses and high-pressure cylinders, and an OSHA-10 Certification
    • Using a wide range of pneumatic tools, grinders, burr tools, and wire brushes
    • Basic blueprint reading, welding symbols, and processes on mild steel.
    • Welding in various positions (flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead)
    • Welding machine basics and advanced setup
    • Contextualized math for welding technologies
    • Job preparation workshops

    21st Century Welders:

    Welders use both traditional and state-of-the-art welding equipment (by hand-welding or flame cutting) to weld together steel plates, angles, channels, and other components.

    • Average Entry Level Annual Wage = $29,580
    • Average Annual Wage = $45,160
  • Resources

    All activities and services are delivered and supervised by SAMI staff at no cost to eligible SAMI participants. SAMI resources include education services, career-specific testing and assessment, and customized hands-on exploration and evaluation activities in the shipbuilding/marine and advanced manufacturing careers.

    Assistance: 
    Veteran’s Resources:
    Employment: