PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island would reimburse businesses for providing internships under a plan announced by Gov. Lincoln Chafee that aims to train and retain young skilled workers in the economically battered state.

Chafee proposed the $2.5 million internship program as part of his $8.2 billion state budget proposal. The money could support nearly 1,500 internships in a variety of industries over two years. He said internships can play a key role in the efforts to boost workforce training.