Our Services

NATIVE American?  ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR OUR SERVICES?  

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS   

You Must be:  

Enrolled Tribal Member in either a Federal or State recognized tribe with documentation. This includes Native Hawaiians, and Alaska Natives.

Services are available to those tribes & bands terminated since 1940 including individuals with a CIB card. You are also eligible as a descendant in the first or second degree.  

• Unemployed (or underemployed based on wage qualifications, have you received a lay off notice? Bring this with you!) 
• Obtained a High School diploma or GED
• Aged 17+
• Living in RI, CT, NY, NJ, MA or DE 
• Registered with Selective Service (males 18+) 

What Documentation is Needed?  

• Tribal Identification- you, a parent or grandparent must be documented in a recognized tribe. (Tribal ID) Please bring your tribal document with you.  
• Two forms of ID (including Picture ID) ( Drivers License, State ID, Birth Certificate, Student ID, ) 
• Social Security Card 
• Selective Service Registration form (males over 18) 
• 3 weeks of current paystubs (if currently employed)  
• Current Resume 

• Trades & Apprenticeships
• Career Counseling
• Job Search and Placement
• Resume Assistance
• Work Experience 
• Work Readiness and Professional Development
• Tuition Assistance
• Supportive Services (Books, Tools, Work Attire)
• Interview Assistance

Native Workforce Program:

• The Native Workforce Program helps Native Americans gain the skills they need to succeed at work. We support job training, education, and skill building to help individuals become more competitive and find meaningful employment.

WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act)

• WIOA is a federal program that strengthens the workforce system by helping Native Americans, including those facing barriers, prepare for employment and access quality jobs and career opportunities.

The Opportunity: 

• The Rhode Island Indian Council Inc. and it's offices offer direct guidance and assistance in areas of employment, skills training, tuition cost assistance, career certifications, professional development and work experience. Participants have access to a support system, funding, and training to achieve their goals and utilize a network of information.
• After services from our agency, the goal is to obtain a quality job. Natives serving Native American’s has been our mission for over 40 years.

Link:  For more information on Indian and Native American Programs Visit: 

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/dinap

We are a contractor of the U.S. Department of Labor.

The Rhode Island Indian Council works with various agencies, building relationships between clients and apprentice programs to provide economic stability in the Native Community. 

Leading Industries Include: Agriculture, Education, Healthcare, Technology, Transportation, Construction, Manufacturing, Energy, Financial Services and Hospitality

Highest Paying Trade Jobs 

• Electricians - Average Salary: $60,000 – $90,000 per year. Top Earners: $100,000+
• Plumbers - Average Salary: $55,000 – $85,000 per year. Top Earners: $95,000+
• HVAC - Average Salary: $50,000 – $75,000 per year. Top Earners: $90,000+
• Construction Manager - Average Salary: $70,000 – $115,000 per year. Top Earners: $150,000+
• Welders - Average Salary: $50,000 – $70,000 per year. Top Earners: $90,000+
• Carpenters - Average Salary: $45,000 – $65,000 per year. Top Earners: $85,000+
• Heavy Equipment Operators - Average Salary: $55,000 – $80,000 per year. Top Earners: $100,000+
• Masons - Average Salary: $45,000 – $70,000 per year. Top Earners: $85,000+

To learn more about Rhode Island registered apprenticeships visit: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/apprenticeship-industries

To learn more about Massachusetts registered apprenticeships visit: https://www.mass.gov/lists/upcoming-apprentice-recruitments

 https://www.mass.gov/doc/massachusetts-building-trades-directory-2025/download

To learn more about New Jersey registered apprenticeships visit: 

https://www.nj.gov/labor/career-services/apprenticeship/ 

To learn more about Connecticut registered apprenticeships visit: 

https://portal.ct.gov/dol/Divisions/Apprenticeships/Work-Schedules?language=en_US 

Tuition support will be made to assist each participant to our fullest capacity, but it is not a full-payment scholarship.

 Students Seeking Tuition Support?  

new or returning participants will also need the following documentation

• Last semester's/or most recent grades/transcripts (or proof of graduation)  
• Updated resume with work experience/internships/certifications/credentials 
• Current itemized invoice from the college including other financial support applied 
• **Students should be prepared to have a clear understanding of their career path or be willing to work with their case manager to create one. Tuition support is provided for participants to become skilled and employable.  
• Tuition support will be made to assist each participant to our fullest capacity but is not a full-payment scholarship.  
• Our program does not pay fees, debt, loans or non-training costs associated with post secondary education. Returning participants must be in good financial standing with the college and our organization from your last program enrollment.  
• Rhode Island Indian Council (RIIC) and it's affiliate offices will review all case files when re-enrolling repeat clients.  
• Graduate degrees are considered on a case-by-base basis review. 

Once enrolled, you must be an advocate in your own success story and keep in touch with your case worker. Clients can be removed from the program if communication is not maintained. The following funded services are available to you: 

 Are you an active client? Call your case manager if any of the following occurs:   

• Changes to your phone number address/personal information  
• Change in employment or wages 
• Withdrawal from any training or schooling occurs  
• Students seeking tuition assistance must send grades at the end of each semester, maintain 3.0 GPA 
• Payment requests for tuition or supplies must be sent to your case worker ASAP for approval. 
•  Updates need to be made to your Resume 
• Second-party family members may not call on your behalf due to confidentiality and regulations

If you are enrolled in the program, you will remain active for appx 1 year. After that period a client that has received services or entered into employment will be exited. At which time, you may be considered for re-enrollment after 1 year and a day. 

Employment Opportunities in RI: https://www.employri.org/vosnet/Default.aspx 

Employment Opportunities in MA:  https://www.mass.gov/how-to/find-a-masshire-career-center

Employment Opportunities in NY: https://www.nyc.gov/employment

Employment Opportunities in CT: https://portal.ct.gov/careerconnect?language=en_US 

Employment Opportunities in NJ: https://nj.gov/nj/employ/