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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – At a one-of-a-kind “” event hosted today by and , leaders from the two organizations joined in unveiling a sponsorship program for local diverse business owners, created in partnership with the .

The program will send selected candidates – all of whom will be potential vendors in the supply chains for National Grid or CVS Caremark who run diverse businesses (primarily women-, minority- or veteran-owned) – to a two-part “CEO Master Series” curriculum designed and offered by the Professional Education Center. The goal is that the skills and knowledge acquired will enhance the participating firms’ résumés and better position them to win contracts.

“Education is a key factor in creating opportunities for job growth, career development and economic expansion,” said Peter Wilbur, vice president for at Roger Williams, who announced the sponsorship program at Power of Connections. “The ability to customize our academic expertise in continuing studies in a way that supports the development of a diverse pool of business leaders illustrates our commitment to impacting quality of life in our own community.”

The announcement came during the daylong conference at the Providence Marriott, which was designed to expand the number of opportunities at National Grid and CVS for diverse business owners and to emphasize the companies’ belief in community stewardship along with the need to provide businesses with the chance to create jobs and drive economic growth.

School of Continuing Studies Dean Jamie Scurry says the ��ܽ����Ƶ partnership with National Grid and CVS Caremark demonstrates how the Professional Education Center can tailor the knowledge base of its instructors and staff to design a customized curriculum that’s uniquely suited to meet the specific needs of industry partners.

“It’s not enough to simply provide off-the-shelf information and training, given that companies in the same industries often have different needs,” Scurry says. “It is critical that investments in professional development are customized and contextualized to ensure that students gain useable, practical skills that add value to the organization – that all participants leave with a “toolbox” that improves performance, aids in problem solving and ensures that they are prepared to immediately effect change.”

The CEO Master Series will focus on the essential skills that position executives for success and will comprise two modules: (1) “Maximizing Employee Performance and Learning the Secrets to Submit a Successful Proposal,” which will include sessions on purchasing and contracts, team building and performance management; and (2) “Critical Development Areas to be Competitive,” which will include sessions on sustainability training, safety plans, HIPPA requirements and social media marketing.

The courses will begin late this spring and will be offered through a blend of in-class and online learning, to allow for flexibility. For more information on the Professional Education Center, visit .