FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
18 February 2026
Contact: [email protected]
Real Jobs RI Reaffirms Decade of Support
for SENEDIA’s Workforce Development
Middletown, R.I. – SENEDIA, the alliance for defense tech, talent, and innovation, announced today a $195,500 grant from Real Jobs Rhode Island to continue the Defense Partnership Program. The program connects job seekers with direct hire, internship, and training opportunities in defense – a $7.6 billion sector in Rhode Island alone.
Since 2016, SENEDIA has facilitated more than 700 hands-on internships, industry-recognized certificates, and career support, as well as more than 350 placements in good-paying jobs.
“Across New England, more than 407,000 people are working in defense. From cybersecurity to undersea innovation to advanced manufacturing, these are high-wage, high-growth, and rewarding careers. Real Jobs has been an essential partner in ensuring we have the skilled workforce necessary to seize these opportunities today and in the future,” said Molly Donohue Magee, chief executive officer of SENEDIA.
Real Jobs RI has supported the Defense Partnership Program for a decade, with training and job placements in innovative defense fields, including IT and cybersecurity, engineering/science, supply chain management, technology, and business support. In 2025, the program engaged more than 400 young people at regional career fairs, employed 24 interns with SENEDIA member companies, placed 52 applicants into good-paying jobs, and facilitated employment support for more than 130 candidates, including resume help, outreach to employers, and technical certifications.
“Defense represents more than 10 percent of the Rhode Island economy and accounts for $119 billion in economic output across New England – not to mention its indirect impacts on other sectors,” said Matthew Weldon, director of the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training that oversees the Real Jobs RI program. “The size and strength of the sector demands that we have a robust career exploration and job training strategy that is aligned to the needs of employers. We’re proud to support and partner with SENEDIA to develop this next-generation workforce.”
The goals of the Defense Partnership Program are complemented by SENEDIA’s New England Submarine Shipbuilding Partnership. Supported by the Department of Defense and the U.S. Navy Maritime Industrial Base program, the program has facilitated training for more than 9,300 people in submarine shipbuilding since 2020.
To learn more about hosting an intern or pursuing an internship through SENEDIA, visit www.SENEDIA.org/internships. Candidates interested in direct hire opportunities can visit www.SENEDIA.org/defense-careers, or view defense-related job openings from SENEDIA member companies at members.SENEDIA.org/jobs.
SENEDIA is hosting an informational session on Thursday, March 5, 2026, on how Rhode Island defense companies can utilize this workforce development program. Interested businesses can register for the session online.
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SENEDIA, the alliance for Defense tech, talent, and innovation, is a catalyst for thought leadership, technical innovation, and workforce development. SENEDIA connects, convenes, and partners across the industry to support talent, innovation, and growth. For more information on SENEDIA, please visit www.SENEDIA.org.
