PROVIDENCE - Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline introduced a new partnership between the Providence Housing Authority and Groundwork Providence. The program will prepare 30 low-income residents for careers in the sustainable landscaping industry while simultaneously providing them with math and reading skills remediation and job-placement assistance.
“We know that the green-job sector is a major growth area for good-paying jobs in the 21st century workforce,” said Mayor Cicilline. “This partnership with Groundwork Providence and the Providence Housing Authority will ensure that our residents are prepared to compete for these jobs, especially during these challenging economic times.”
The 8-week intensive training is offered at no cost to students thanks to the generous support of United Way of Rhode Island and the City of Providence’s First Source program. Students will receive nationally recognized certifications including the OSHA 40-hour workplace safety certificate and the 10-hour hazardous materials safety and handling. Additionally they will receive 6 weeks of instruction in sustainable landscaping and urban maintenance.
Groundwork and the Providence Housing Authority (PHA) are partnering to ensure that PHA residents are able to benefit from this training opportunity. The trainings will be held at the Chad Brown housing development and many PHA residents will participate. Following the completion of the Sustainable Landscaping curriculum Groundwork Providence will provide entrepreneurship training to interested PHA residents and assist them in bidding on landscape improvement and maintenance contracts at PHA properties.
“Groundwork is committed to providing low-income residents with the resources and skills they need to make a difference in their own communities,” said Joe Vaughan, Director of Groundwork Providence. “We are thrilled to have this opportunity to help PHA residents improve the financial well-being of their families by becoming engaged in the work of improving the places where they live.”
Joining Mayor Cicilline at the podium were Joe Vaughan, Executive Director of Groundwork Providence, Cristine Larson, President of RI Nursery & Landscape Association, Sorrel Devine, Director of Resident Services, Providence Housing Authority, and Sergio Jaramillo, a student in Groundwork Providence’s Sustainable Landscaping program.
About Groundwork Providence: Groundwork Providence is a steward of our shared urban environment. Our education, employment, job training and stewardship programs all serve the common goal of creating and sustaining healthy, beautiful and green communities for all.
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