Raimondo Announces CCRI, Infosys Partnership

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Gov. Gina Raimondo announced a partnership Tuesday to create a Design and Innovation Center in Providence. The partnership, called the Digital Economy Aspirations Lab, or DEAL, will bring together the company Infosys with the Community College of Rhode Island.

"Infosys is a global leader in information technology, and I'm so excited that they've chosen Rhode Island as the home of their new innovation center," said Gov. Raimondo in a release. "In partnership with RISD and CCRI, Infosys will be helping train today's Rhode Islanders for tomorrow's jobs. Our state has some of the top designers in the world, and it's a testament to the strength of our workforce that Infosys is looking to tap into, and further develop, our talent."

The Design and Innovation Center will be located at 75 Fountain St. in Providence, and will provide opportunities for multi-platform training to help Rhode Island graduates be more competitive in the digital field.

"Today is an exciting day for Rhode Island," said Rhode Island Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor. "Infosys could have selected any location for this new Design and Innovation Hub, but the company chose Providence in order to draw upon our state's deep pool of talented designers and to establish pioneering partnerships with our innovative higher ed institutions -- including RISD and CCRI. Infosys will be training the next generation of forward-thinking global design leaders and professionals right here in Rhode Island."

Infosys has a goal of creating 500 jobs in the state by 2022, and says it has already hired more than 100 people.

Through the partnership, Infosys plans to create labs on CCRI campuses before expanding across the country. The company plans to create two joint task forces with CCRI representatives to develop programs for the college. In addition, a Digital Economy Aspirations Lab will be created at Infosys' Providence Center. The first task force will work to identify entry-level positions for CCRI graduates, while the second will work to create standardized credits that would transfer to four-year degree programs.

"Critical thinking led by the practice of strategic design is critical to building the world-class, human-centric solutions our clients need to accelerate their digital transformations," said Infosys CEO Salil Parekh. "We are excited to inaugurate our flagship Design and Innovation Center in Providence and continue our partnership with the state of Rhode Island. The demand for talent with strategic design skills will only rise, and Infosys is training American workers in these skills, keeping them and our clients on the front lines of innovation."

According to Infosys, the DEAL program will include:

• Physical innovation spaces to showcase next-generation technologies required for the jobs of the future.
• Research and development of customized curriculum tied to a four-year degree pathway with a focus on in-demand industries including healthcare, defense, advanced business services and manufacturing.
• The creation of a mentor program that will engage Infosys business teams to bolster career guidance and support resume preparation and interview coaching for students.

In the first year of the DEAL program, the company plans to recruit 15 to 20 CCRI students to information technology mentorships, as well as providing "exposure opportunities" to 200 additional students.

Infosys has received incentives through Rhode Island's Qualified Jobs Incentive Act, the Rebuild Rhode Island program and the First Wave Closing Fund.

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