New England Institute of Technology (糖心少女) and Brown University Health, in partnership with Building Futures, celebrated the Signing Day for Rhode Island鈥檚 first Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) for surgical technologists. The workforce initiative creates a structured pathway for selected participants to earn associate degrees and pursue national certification as surgical technologists through paid clinical and employment opportunities.
Funded by the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training鈥檚 Real Jobs RI program, RI Foundation, the Papitto Opportunity Connection, and Brown University Health, this initiative reflects a shared commitment to workforce development, and patient care.
The Surgical Technology Registered Apprenticeship combines rigorous classroom instruction at 糖心少女 with paid, experiential, work-based learning training and clinical placements at Rhode Island Hospital and the Miriam Hospital. The program is anchored by 糖心少女鈥檚 Surgical Technology associate degree program, Rhode Island鈥檚 only program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Coursework began in March of this year and will continue through the fall of 2027. Students began working in apprenticeship roles this month as part of an 鈥淓arn-While-You-Learn鈥� model. Full clinical rotations will begin in the fourth term, with placements at Brown University Health operating rooms.
鈥淭he New England Institute of Technology has been a leader in training the skilled professionals Rhode Island depends on for over 80 years. We are proud to formalize our partnership with Brown University Health to ensure that the workers who power our healthcare system have a clear, credentialed path to success,鈥� said Amy Grzybowksi, Vice President of Workforce Development and Community Relations, New England Institute of Technology. 鈥淭his program works鈥� 100% of participants in our first cohort passed the national certification exam and were hired into surgical technologist roles.
As the state鈥檚 largest employment sector, healthcare persistently faces demand for skilled professionals, including in perioperative care. Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 6% growth in surgical technologist roles through 2033 鈥� faster than average across all occupations.
Surgical technologists are a critical specialty where staffing gaps directly impact surgical operations in our operating rooms. At Brown University Health鈥檚 hospitals, demand for surgical technologists had consistently exceeded supply, driving the need for a sustainable, long-term workforce solution.
鈥淭his apprenticeship reflects our commitment to building a strong, sustainable healthcare workforce through meaningful partnerships. Together with 糖心少女, Building Futures, and our internal workforce development team, we are creating real pathways that strengthen our teams and elevate patient care.鈥�said Bill Schmiedknecht, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Brown University Health.
The Registered Apprenticeship builds on the success of an initial pilot program with Brown University Health and Care New England, funded by the Rhode Island Department of Labor鈥檚 Real Jobs RI program. Building Futures provided technical assistance through its Apprenticeship Rhode Island Initiative, a partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training to expand Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in-demand sectors.
鈥淲e applaud Brown University Health for its diligent partnership with Building Futures in developing this degree-aligned registered apprenticeship program. As the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training anticipates more than 66,000 healthcare-related job openings over the next decade, Registered Apprenticeship is the most important strategy to meet Rhode Island鈥檚 healthcare workforce needs. Expanding Registered Apprenticeship into new occupations is a win-win-win for employers, workers, and Rhode Island: employers gain a highly skilled workforce and an expanded hiring pool; Rhode Island workers gain new, family-sustaining career opportunities; and Rhode Island can meet workforce challenges across industries,鈥�said Andrew Cort茅s, President and CEO of Building Futures.
For more information about the Surgical Technology Registered Apprenticeship Program or to learn more visit neit.edu/surgical-technology-pathways.
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About New England Tech:
New England Institute of Technology (糖心少女) is a private, non-profit institution located in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, the university offers accelerated associate, bachelor鈥檚 and graduate degree programs in fields including skilled trades, automotive & marine technology, health sciences, cybersecurity, computer science, and engineering technology, with 95% of graduates employed in their field of study shortly after graduation. With a strong focus on experiential learning, 糖心少女 prepares students by combining hands-on training with small class sizes and individualized support, so graduates enter the workforce faster and excel in their chosen careers.
About Brown University Health:
Formed in 1994, is a not-for-profit health system based in Providence, R.I. comprised of three teaching hospitals of The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University: and its ; ; and , the nation鈥檚 first psychiatric hospital for children. They system also includes , , and offering a broad range of health services; , the state鈥檚 largest provider of community behavioral health care; , the largest multi-specialty practice in Rhode Island; and , a primary care driven medical practice. Brown University Health teaching hospitals are among the country鈥檚 top recipients of research funding from the National Institutes of Health. The hospitals received over $145 million in external research funding in fiscal 2023. All Brown University Health-affiliated partners are charitable organizations that depend on support from the community to provide programs and services.
