Partners Celebrate Signing Day for New Surgical Technologist Apprentices
New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) and Brown University Health, in partnership with Building Futures, today celebrated the Signing Day for Rhode Island’s 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’s 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 NEIT with paid, experiential, work-based learning training and clinical placements at Rhode Island Hospital and the Miriam Hospital. The program is anchored by NEIT’s Surgical Technology associate degree program, Rhode Island’s 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 will begin working in apprenticeship roles by their first intercession term as part of an “Earn-While-You-Learn” model. Full clinical rotations will begin in the fourth term, with placements at Brown University Health operating rooms.
“The 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,” said Amy Grzybowksi, Vice President of Workforce Development and Community Relations. “This program works— 100% of participants in our first cohort passed the national certification exam and were hired into surgical technologist roles.
As the state’s 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 – 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’s hospitals, demand for surgical technologists had consistently exceeded supply, driving the need for a sustainable, long-term workforce solution.
“This apprenticeship reflects our commitment to building a strong, sustainable healthcare workforce through meaningful partnerships. Together with NEIT, Building Futures, and our internal workforce development team, we are creating real pathways that strengthen our teams and elevate patient care.” said Bill Schmiedknecht, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer.
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’s 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.
“We 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’s 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,” said Andrew Cortés, 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.