RISEing to the Challenge

Dear Friends,

We can leave no stone unturned in working to bring down the unemployment rate in Rhode Island. What I find especially frustrating is that we have many businesses who say they are ready to hire, but cannot find applicants prepared to do the job. These companies range from a computer security firm to a manufacturer of cutting-edge electronic equipment for new pools, but the common thread is the need for highly skilled workers.

We must increase training opportunities designed specifically to fit industry needs here in Rhode Island. It’s far from our only obstacle to rebuilding the economy, but it would help immensely if we could give thousands of our unemployed and underemployed workers qualifications for jobs that allow them to support their families without relying on a government safety net.

Last month I proudly launched my Rhode Island Skilled Economy (RISE) Tour to advocate initiatives and create partnerships that will close the skills gap and strengthen the state’s economy. It began at the Regional Career and Technical Center at Coventry High School with a forum that brought together students and teachers to discuss Career and Technical Education programs.

In the coming months, I will continue this tour in a variety of venues that can contribute to closing our skills gap and strengthening our economy. If you are part of a school, company or job training facility or any organization with a role to play, please contact me with your ideas at 401-732-9400, or through my website.

The skills gap challenge is eminently solvable if we work together. We know the right approach. Now we need to make it a top priority in our state, recognizing that our future depends on taking full advantage of our most valuable asset: our people.

As your representative, I enjoy hearing your thoughts, whether in person or in writing. Please stay in touch via email, Facebook and Twitter to keep the conversation going, and check out my YouTube and Flickr pages.

Sincerely,

Jim Langevin

RISE Tour: The Potential of Biotechnology

Focusing our attention on high-skill industries offers the most potential for quality job growth, and Rhode Island already has major pieces in place for a robust biomedical sector. I saw this first-hand during a visit to the University of Rhode Island Biotechnology Manufacturing Program. It is imperative that we support their effort to train a top-notch workforce that will help attract existing businesses and allow entrepreneurs to start new ones. By working together we can make this industry a centerpiece of the new Knowledge District in Providence, recognizing that the salary for the average biomedical position is more than 70 percent higher than the average national wage.

RISE Tour: Honoring our Best

We must recognize that the resources and programs that will help us achieve a skilled economy in Rhode Island are only as effective as the dedicated students and teachers who take part in them. Last Friday, I proudly presented the SkillsUSA Rhode Island Advisor of the Year award to Lori Velino of Cranston for her extraordinary contributions to career and technical education and the example she sets for others.

Save the date

EAST GREENWICH COMMUNITY DAY
April 3, 2012
Noon: Seniors Luncheon
Swift Community Center
1:30pm: Meet and Greet
Main Street Coffee

Did You Know...?

CSPAN COMMUNICATOR
Rep. Langevin was featured on CSPAN to address the current debate about cybersecurity legislation that may come before Congress as soon as this month. ››

FAST FACT
Every job in the biomedical sector supports another 3.3 jobs elsewhere. ››

In Other News

PROTECTING KEY NATIONAL SECURITY ASSET BUILT IN RI
Rep. Langevin continued to take a lead role in working with military leaders to find cost-effective solutions for continuing the production rate of Virginia Class Submarines. ››

SUPPORTING JOBS BY REBUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE
Rep. Langevin urged his House colleagues to join him in supporting the bipartisan Senate bill that would allow transportation projects across the nation to go forward for the next two years. ››

ADDRESSING RI FISHING COMMUNITY CONCERNS
Noting the importance of the fishing industry to Rhode Island’s economy, Rep. Langevin is pressing for the state to receive representation on a council that makes decisions affecting our fishermen. ››

SUPPORTING AN OPEN INTERNET WORLDWIDE
Partnering with the Republican who founded the Cybersecurity Caucus with him, Rep. Langevin introduced legislation calling for opposition to attempts by some within the UN to gain international approval of Internet censorship. ››

HONORING CRANSTON STUDENT ARTIST
Rep. Langevin recognized Cranston East High School senior Sarah Mahdesian as Rhode Island’s champion in the National Youth Art Month Flag Contest. ››

ADDRESSING RI AIRPORT EXPANSION
Rep. Langevin reacted to the agreement by the City of Warwick and the Rhode Island Airport Corporation allowing the economically beneficial expansion to go forward while responding to residents’ concerns. ››

REJECTING PROPOSALS THAT LEAVE KEY INDUSTRIES VULNERABLE
Rep. Langevin rebuked legislation that promotes the fantasy that the risks facing our critical infrastructure in cyberspace will disappear without the stronger protections advocated in the bipartisan proposals he supports. ››