WARWICK, R.I. (AP) _ Rhode Island officials are touting the success of job training program for shipbuilders that has resulted in jobs for 90 percent of its graduates.

The New England Institute of Technology’s eight-week shipbuilding, marine trades and advanced manufacturing program is funded in part by almost $3 million in state and federal grants. It is free to unemployed state residents who are over 18 and pass an initial screening process.

The Providence Journal reports (New England Institute of Technology’s new shipbuilding program) that 60 students have so far completed the program. Many of them have been offered jobs by General Dynamics Electric Boat, which recently was awarded a $17.6 billion contract to build 10 Virginia-class attack submarines for the Navy.

School officials say the currently have enough money to continue the program through next fall.