“If they are old enough to learn a trade in our schools, our students should have the opportunity to learn the same skills in the real world if they so choose. This bill makes that possible for Rhode Island’s motivated young students,” said House Health, Education and Welfare Committee Chairman Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston).

The bill, 2015-H 5895, permits students under 18 years of age who are attending career and technical education schools to participate in career and technical internships or teacher supervised job site training programs. The bill amends the Career and Technical Education section (Chapter. 16-45.1) of the Rhode Island General Laws.

“As of now, even if a student is learning a particular trade at a technical school, by state law, that student is not allowed on an actual job site to learn their trade if under the age of 18. I find that is such a wasted opportunity for our young future workers. A simulation in a classroom cannot compete with the educational value of on-site and hands-on job training and internships,” said McNamara.

The legislation is currently before the House HEW Committee. Joining Chairman McNamara as co-sponsors on the bill are Rep. Stephen M. Casey (D-Dist. 50, Woonsocket), Rep. Samuel A. Azzinaro (D-Dist. 37, Westerly), Rep. Robert B. Lancia (R-Dist. 16, Cranston) and Rep. Justin K. Price (R-Dist. 39, Hopkinton, Exeter, Richmond).

“This is a good bill for Rhode Island’s future workforce and the bi-partisan support from my fellow co-sponsors is proof of that fact,” he said. “The earlier we can equip our young people with the necessary skills they need in the workforce, the more time they will have to hone and sharpen their craft. By opening up these internships and job-site training programs to younger students, we are giving them a competitive advantage against students in our neighboring states.”

The bill provides safeguards for participating students such as determinations by the student’s advisors, counselors, and instructors that the student has the necessary educational background, experience and personal maturity to engage in such an internship or training program.