Raimondo launches statewide computer science initiative

March 7, 2016 2:21 pm

By The Associated Press

Autumn Hawkins

news@abc6.com

PROVIDENCE, R.I.— A statewide computer science initiative is being launched in the hopes of creating new job opportunities for trained professionals and computer science skills will be offered to students.

Governor Raimondo announced the initiative on Monday at Tolman High School.

This announcement comes as the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training projects there will be more than 4,000 openings in computer and math jobs by 2022.

“If we want our kids to have the best opportunities in our tech-driven economy, we need to do everything we can to help them pace and develop skills that matter,” Raimondo said. “Part of turning our economy around and creating jobs is making sure every student, at every level, has access to learn the new basic skill: computer science.”

The initiative is in partnership with Microsoft, code.org, as well as colleges and universities across Rhode Island.