The mission of the Office of Economic Opportunity is to expand opportunities for the City’s low-income and unemployed residents to gain the skills and credentials needed to succeed in the 21st Century economy, reduce income inequality, and break the cycle of intergenerational poverty in the City of Providence. Our mission is realized through the intentional and strategic deployment of comprehensive employment services, skills training, workforce development, small business capacity building and technical assistance, entrepreneurship support, and youth programs targeting low-income persons and economically distressed neighborhoods to support economic growth and improved quality of life.
Workforce Solutions of Providence/Cranston
Workforce Solutions strive to build an integrated workforce development system that responds to the needs of employers for skilled workers. Enabling job seekers looking for new or expanded employment opportunities through comprehensive employment services to support economic growth and improved quality of life.
First Source
First Source is a program that connects job seekers and employers in the City of Providence. We are committed to finding job-ready Providence residents and helping to place them in open positions with First Source employers. If you live in Providence and are out of work or underemployed, First Source can assist in helping you with your next career.
PVD Self-Employment Program
The Office of Economic Opportunity, in partnership with the Center for Women and Enterprise and the Division of Community Development, has created a Self-Employment Program for currently unemployed and under-employed Providence residents who are interested in starting their own businesses.
PVD HealthWorks
PVD HealthWorks is the City’s specialized healthcare and social assistance workforce development partnership that will create training pipelines, career pathways, and other workforce solutions for individuals interested in accessing careers in the healthcare and social assistance industry.
Tech Force Rhode Island
Tech Force Rhode Island assists long-term unemployed and under-employed individuals and provides RI employers with qualified IT talent. Eligible participants receive work-readiness and occupational training for in-demand IT positions in RI. Paid internships, On-the-Job Training, supportive services, and job placement assistance are also available.
Minority and Women-Owned Business (M/WBE) Procurement Program
The City of Providence’s M/WBE Program connects certified businesses with opportunities to sell their products and services to the City of Providence. Mayor Elorza’s goal is to promote fairness and equity in the City’s procurement process in order to increase M/WBE’s participation and support economic prosperity for minority and women-owned businesses throughout the City.
