CCRI and Citizens Launch Banking Micro-Pathway to Build Rhode Island’s Financial Services Workforce
New micro-pathway program with Education Design Lab prepares Rhode Islanders for evolving roles in banking, including those shaped by AI
The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) and Citizens today announced the launch of the Banking Micro-Pathway, a new workforce development initiative designed to prepare Rhode Islanders for entry-level careers in the financial services industry.
Developed in partnership with Education Design Lab, the program is also supported by Bank of America, Centreville Bank, Washington Trust, and BankNewport reflecting a strong industry-wide commitment to expanding opportunity and strengthening Rhode Island’s talent pipeline.
“This pathway is a powerful example of what’s possible when banks, educators, and workforce leaders come together with a shared purpose,” said Keith Kelly, Rhode Island President, Citizens. “By collaborating across institutions, we are helping Rhode Islanders build the skills and confidence to succeed in meaningful careers that will continue to evolve. Citizens is proud to lead this effort in our home state, not just as a bank but as a partner in shaping the future of financial services.”
According to industry research, Rhode Island’s banking sector is expected to add around 500 new jobs over the next five years, nearly half of which will be entry-level. Many of these roles are changing as artificial intelligence enhances how banks serve customers. By combining technical skills with customer service and problem-solving abilities, the Banking Micro-Pathway equips learners to thrive in jobs that require both digital fluency and human-centered expertise.
“At CCRI, we are proud to partner with Citizens and our banking colleagues to create pathways that meet Rhode Islanders where they are and connect them to meaningful careers,” said Dr. Rosemary Costigan, President, CCRI. “This micro-pathway is a powerful example of how education and industry can come together to build a more resilient workforce.”
Offered through CCRI’s Division of Workforce Partnerships, the 15-week, part-time online program provides training in customer service, workplace communication, financial records, and data management. Graduates will be prepared for roles such as banking service representatives, tellers, and customer service specialists, and will receive direct employment support from program partners. The curriculum is designed to meet immediate hiring needs while preparing participants for careers that will continue to evolve as new technologies reshape the industry.
“Now partnering with over 100 community colleges across the country, Education Design Lab's Community College Growth Engine focuses on the development of skills-based pathways to address critical hiring needs and drive economic mobility for learners,” said Rachel Kahn, EdD Senior Director, Community College Growth Engine, Education Design Lab. “We are proud to have facilitated our micro-pathway design process with CCRI in the development of this exciting program. Further, we thank Citizens for their exemplary partnership and continued support of the Lab's Growth Engine.”
The program is open to Rhode Island residents with a high school diploma or GED and is designed to support diverse, career-changing, and entry-level workers seeking family-sustaining jobs. Participants will also have the opportunity to continue their education through stackable pathways into CCRI’s Business Certificate and Degree programs.
“The Banking Service Representative Micro-Pathway is a timely and strategic response to workforce needs in our industry,” said Frank Casale, President, RIBA. “RIBA is proud to support this initiative, which not only strengthens our talent pipeline but also opens doors for individuals seeking stable, rewarding careers in banking.”
Citizens recently announced a $20 million workforce development commitment over three years to strengthen programs like this across its footprint. The investment is designed to address current workforce gaps and create long-term opportunities, with a focus on digital skills, adaptability, and the human qualities that remain essential in a tech-enabled future. By preparing job seekers to succeed in an industry where AI is enabling faster service, deeper personalization, and new types of roles, the Banking Micro-Pathway ensures Rhode Islanders are ready for both today’s opportunities and tomorrow’s innovations.
For more information about the program, visit CCRI’s Banking Pathway page
About CCRI
The Community College of Rhode Island enrolls nearly 18,000 students in credit-bearing degree and certificate programs and an additional 8,500 individuals in workforce development programs and adult education courses annually. With passionate commitment to students, CCRI provides Rhode Islanders with an outstanding college education that leads to strong learning outcomes, successful postsecondary credential attainment, and robust labor market outcomes. For more information, please visit ccri.edu.
About Citizens Financial Group, Inc.
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is one of the nation’s oldest and largest financial institutions, with $218.3 billion in assets as of June 30, 2025. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Citizens offers a broad range of retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, large corporations and institutions. Citizens helps its customers reach their potential by listening to them and by understanding their needs in order to offer tailored advice, ideas and solutions. In Consumer Banking, Citizens provides an integrated experience that includes mobile and online banking, a full-service customer contact center and the convenience of approximately 3,000 ATMs and approximately 1,000 branches in 14 states and the District of Columbia. Consumer Banking products and services include a full range of banking, lending, savings, wealth management and small business offerings. In Commercial Banking, Citizens offers a broad complement of financial products and solutions, including lending and leasing, deposit and treasury management services, foreign exchange, interest rate and commodity risk management solutions, as well as loan syndication, corporate finance, merger and acquisition, and debt and equity capital markets capabilities. More information is available at www.citizensbank.com or visit us on X, LinkedIn or Facebook.
About Education Design Lab
Education Design Lab (the Lab) is a national nonprofit and intermediary with a mission to co-design an inclusive, skills-based learn+work system that facilitates upward economic mobility and closes opportunity gaps for the New Majority Learner-Earner. Since 2020, the Lab has partnered with more than 100 colleges through the Community College Growth Engine to design short-term, stackable micro-pathways that are flexible, affordable, and aligned with labor market needs in fields like IT, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. Learn more: www.eddesignlab.org.
