RIC, CCRI, Citizens & Building Futures Launch Rhode Island’s First Registered Apprenticeship in Cybersecurity

Providence, RI – The Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies at Rhode Island College and the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), in partnership with Citizens and Building Futures, today announced the launch of Rhode Island’s first Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) for Information Security Analysts, supporting students pursuing careers in cybersecurity and information security.

The institute registered the new RAP with technical assistance provided by Building Futures, Rhode Island’s State Apprenticeship Agency Intermediary. The inaugural cohort will place eligible cybersecurity students who have transferred from CCRI to Rhode Island College into full-time, paid roles at Citizens and provide structured, employer-aligned training designed to prepare participants for in-demand jobs in a rapidly evolving field.

Funded through a Governor’s Workforce Board grant, the institute will administer the pilot program with Citizens and partner with other employers in the region to continue to make this program available to future cohorts.

As the program sponsor, the institute is responsible for program oversight, apprentice registration and compliance, progress tracking and completion certification. Citizens and future employer partners are responsible for providing mentored workplace training, supervision, evaluation and wages.

The first cohort of students will apprentice with Citizens for one year and complete: 

• 2,000 to 2,500 hours of structured, work-based learning,
• 144 hours of advanced classroom instruction, and
• training that supports industry-recognized certifications.

In addition to this coursework and on-the-job training, apprentices will earn competitive, progressively increasing wages starting at $28 per hour.

Each apprentice will also work closely with a senior cybersecurity professional at Citizens. Mentors will provide guidance, hands-on experience and real-world exposure to the responsibilities of modern information security roles.

“By leveraging the in-demand skills and career-focused education of students who have progressed through the cybersecurity programs at both CCRI and RIC, we are providing local employers with the highly trained workforce they need, while giving Rhode Island students an unparalleled opportunity to earn while they learn,” said RIC President Jack Warner. “This apprenticeship is truly a win-win-win for students, employers and the state. We believe this program can be a model for the development of Rhode Island’s high-tech economy.”

“The Information Security Analyst Apprenticeship reflects the powerful impact that higher education and industry can have when we come together to build meaningful pathways for students,” said CCRI President Rosemary Costigan. “By aligning our cybersecurity programs with this ‘earn-and-learn’ model, we are opening doors for students while ensuring Rhode Island employers have access to the skilled talent they need. I am deeply grateful to our partners – Rhode Island College, Building Futures and Citizens – for their commitment to creating meaningful pathways that strengthen our workforce and expand opportunity for our students.”

“During my time in Congress, I worked to make cybersecurity a national priority, and that requires a strong cyber workforce,” said former U.S. Congressman Jim Langevin, who serves as the institute’s distinguished chair. “This new Registered Apprenticeship Program is exactly the kind of innovative, results-driven approach we need to train and equip the next generation of cybersecurity professionals that our nation will rely on to respond to the cyber threats of the 21st century.”

“This program represents exciting momentum for degree-connected Registered Apprenticeship that will enable employers to develop the highly skilled workforce needed in cybersecurity and open the door to career opportunities for Rhode Islanders,” said Andrew Cortés, president and CEO of Building Futures. “We are proud to play a role in this groundbreaking initiative and to continue our partnership with RIC, Citizens Bank and future employers.”

“Today’s cyber threats demand a workforce that can continuously adapt as technology evolves. We’re proud to partner with RIC, CCRI and Building Futures to provide hands-on training that prepares Rhode Island students for high-growth careers,” said Brendan Goode, chief security officer at Citizens. “Our participation reflects a strong commitment to skills-based talent pathways that equip the workforce for emerging technologies. As artificial intelligence continues to reshape how organizations manage cyber risk and protect customers, we’re investing in programs that develop adaptable talent, strengthen the state’s tech pipeline and build the skills needed for today’s roles and those still to come.”

“The launch of Rhode Island’s first Registered Apprenticeship Program for Information Security Analysts is another example of how the Ocean State continues to lead the way in artificial intelligence and strengthening the workforce around it,” said R.I. Gov. Dan McKee. “Apprenticeships play a crucial role in building a strong workforce by creating hands-on pathways, from CCRI to RIC, into competitive fields like cybersecurity. Ensuring that our state is positioned as a leader in cybersecurity and emerging technologies is one of my administration’s priorities – that’s why we launched the institute at Rhode Island College.”

“RIC and CCRI are doing great things to prepare Rhode Islanders for good-paying careers in high-demand fields like cybersecurity and information security.  This new partnership to create the Ocean State’s first registered apprenticeship program in cybersecurity with Building Futures and Citizens will help expand opportunities for Rhode Islanders and ensure local businesses have the skilled workforce they need to sustain growth, attract new investments and strengthen our economy,” said U.S. Sen. Jack Reed.  

“With cyber threats growing in scope and sophistication, this new partnership will equip students with hands-on training and real job opportunities safeguarding America’s digital infrastructure,” said U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse. “Bravo to my dear friend, former Rep. Jim Langevin, for his visionary leadership in this space.”

“The Information Security Analyst Apprenticeship will help a valued Rhode Island employer tap into a highly skilled talent pool in the cybersecurity sector that was developed through our strong public higher education system, while simultaneously creating meaningful opportunities for students,” said Shannon Gilkey, Rhode Island’s commissioner of post-secondary education. “This ‘earn-and-learn’ model is a proven method to improve educational and training results. It's smart, focused and effective.”

For more information about the Information Security Analyst Apprenticeship, including eligibility and next steps, please contact Russell Beauchemin at rbeauchemin@ric.edu or at 401-456-1980.  

Headline photo caption. From left: U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, R.I. Sen. Victoria Gu, RIC President Jack Warner, CCRI President Rosemary Costigan, R.I. Gov. Dan McKee, Former U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, Andrew Cortés, Brendan Goode, U.S. Reps. Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo and Commissioner Shannon Gilkey celebrate the announcement of the Registered Apprenticeship Program for Information Security Analysts.

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