Newport is Picked to Launch New IBM P-TECH High School Program

NEWPORT, RI-Newport Public Schools is just one of three school districts in the state to receive a $200,000 grant to implement a new career-focused technology program to connect Rogers High School students with colleges and employers in the IT, high-tech manufacturing and cybersecurity fields.

The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation Board on Monday night approved three school districts to host the state’s new Pathways in Technology Early College High School Program, or P-TECH, which “will focus on the key growth industries of information technology, advanced manufacturing, and cybersecurity.”

Fifty to 100 students will take part in the program and ideally, will have a direct pipeline to meaningful employment later in life. And so far, the possibilities look promising with a slew of early commitments from the likes of Atrion, FM Globlal, the Naval Undersea Warface Center, Raytheon, Electric Boat, VIBCO, Inc., and other major Rhode Island companies.

Rhode Island’s plan will model the “nationally recognized success of IBM’s P-TECH model,” according to a Commerce Corporation news release. “The model helps young people to be college and career-ready with STEM skills – disciplines that underpin some of the fastest growing industries in the U.S.”

Students who participate will receive four, five or six years of curriculum and mentorship with an associates degree and job opportunities at the end.

The program also helps the state reposition itself as a desirable place for companies to set up shop. Governor Gina Raimondo has repeatedly referenced the fact that the state lags Massachusetts in terms of the education and skill level of its workforce.

“The number one thing employers tell me they are looking for when choosing where to start or grow a business is a pipeline of talent,” Raimondo said. “With the launch of these three P-TECH schools, we are reimagining the high school experience to prepare students with the skills they need for these high-wage, high-skills jobs.”

Newport Superintendent Colleen BUrns Jermain said that Newport is “thrilled” to be chosen as one of the three initial P-TECH schools, joining Westerly and Providence. She noted that the district will be partnering with the Community College of Rhode Island and the Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance.

“We’re excited that Newport’s P-TECH program will be focused on cybersecurity, in part, growing from the work of Governor Raimondo’s Cybersecurity Commission, which identified the deep and growing need for a robust pipeline of future employees,” she said.

The school districts were chosen through a series of criteria with input from Rhode Island employers and the participating industry associations – Tech Collective, Rhode Island Manufacturer’s Association (RIMA) and Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance (SENEDIA). The schools needed to be able to implement the program by fall of 2016, commit to all the requirements of the program, and to be in coordination with one or more of the Community College of Rhode Island campuses and related industry activity.

For more information on P-TECH, visit www.ptech.org