-stigmatizing and professionalizing the industry
Rhode Island Launches Free Cannabis Training Program to Prepare Workers for Thriving Industry
In a bold move to support the booming cannabis industry, Rhode Island’s labor department has announced the launch of a new training program. The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) will offer an eight-week Cannabis Training Program in collaboration with the state’s Division of Workforce Partnerships.
The program, which is free of charge, will provide students with 45 hours of training and is funded by the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training’s Real Jobs RI initiative. Classes will begin on July 9 at CCRI’s Liston Campus in Providence and will be available both online and in person. Taught by experienced instructors, the curriculum will cover the necessary skills and regulations for entry-level jobs in the cannabis industry. Students will also have the opportunity to visit local businesses and receive employment assistance.
The pilot cohort program will initially enroll 15 students, with the goal of making the program accessible to individuals from communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the criminalization of cannabis. Interested individuals can sign up for an interview by filling out the program inquiry form.
CCRI Director of Industry Partnerships Stacy Sullivan emphasizes the importance of making the program equitable and accessible, stating, “The flexibility of the course scheduling and free tuition ensures the program is ‘equitable and accessible to those from communities that have been impacted by the criminalization of cannabis.'”
Jennie Johnson, Vice President of CCRI’s Division of Workforce Partnerships, adds, “We are proud and excited to create a training for this emerging industry. CCRI’s Division of Workforce Partnerships is always looking to be responsive to employer needs and we look forward to having a hand in creating a robust cannabis workforce.”
As the cannabis industry continues to grow, more and more community colleges and four-year schools are offering cannabis certificates. CCRI’s program aims to prepare individuals for the expanding cannabis workforce in Rhode Island. According to data, the cannabis labor market in the United States has seen significant growth in recent years, with the number of cannabis jobs increasing from 321,000 in 2021 to 428,059 in 2022. In Rhode Island, the legalization of adult-use recreational cannabis in 2022 led to a 45% increase in available cannabis jobs, reaching a total of 1,649 in 2023. Additionally, there are currently 118 jobs in Rhode Island that require familiarity with the cannabis industry as a skill, and the market includes over 100 cannabis-related businesses and 62 licensed cannabis cultivators.
With the industry projected to reach $45 billion in the United States by next year, the demand for skilled workers in the cannabis industry is only expected to grow. The program’s curriculum was developed with the help of industry experts, including Founder and CEO of EZHire Cannabis Jacob Carlson and Certified Commercial Cannabis Expert Melissa Rutherford, who will also teach courses in the pilot cohort.
CCRI’s cannabis training program is a step towards destigmatizing and professionalizing the industry, and it presents an exciting opportunity for Rhode Island residents to gain valuable job skills in a rapidly expanding field.
