The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT) has partnered with the Rhode Island Builders Association to implement the Latino & Female-Based Enterprise Program. This initiative aims to develop, promote, and grow a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) business training program. The primary objective is to support minority contractors in becoming equitably registered and increasing their development capacity to overcome barriers.
The training program is part of the association’s existing Contractor Development Program. It will focus on developing resources, class offerings, and credit-driven programs that enable individuals to pursue and establish successful careers as builders and contractors in Rhode Island.
“Our goal is to ensure the minority residential construction industry has the resources they need to succeed,” said Margarita Robledo Guedes, Woman and Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (W/MBE) program manager at the Rhode Island Builders Association.
Reina Maritza Tutila has benefited from this program. With over ten years of experience in building residential and commercial structures, she relocated from New York to Rhode Island and opened her own residential painting company, F. Lines LLC. She received her Renovation, Repair, or Painting (RRP) certification from the association, acquired her Residential/Commercial license, and became MBE certified. All courses she took were in Spanish.
“Being able to take courses in Spanish has allowed us to learn more about how to run a business in the state and to know all the opportunities that exist to move forward,” said Tutila. “Thanks to the MBE sessions sponsored by the Department of Administration, my business is now MBE certified. I am looking forward to more business opportunities.”
Tutila participated in the 2023 Rhode Island Home Show as an MBE sponsored by DLT and hopes to join future shows. She continues taking educational courses in Spanish with a personal goal of growing her company into a larger enterprise that provides a legacy for her family.