Good People Are the Backbone of Manufacturing Success
Rhode Island manufacturers often embrace lean manufacturing framework of continuous improvement for products and processes. Fundamental to the philosophy is “Respect for All,” which includes continuous improvement for people.
In an era when serving a single company for ten or twenty years is uncommon, you can produce highly skilled and loyal team members by committing to workforce development.
Companies rise and fall based on their ability to hire and retain good people. While there is no perfect team, if you hire intelligently and support thoroughly, you can build a legacy of success.
Providing retraining for your current employees can help retain workers and avoid a gap in skilled labor. With training, these employees can learn the skills necessary to continue and advance in their roles, while also advancing your company’s bottom line.
Lindsey Brickle
Workforce Program Manager,
Polaris MEP
Solutions To Your Challenges
Lean Manufacturing
Workforce Development
Growth & Strategy
How We Help
ON-THE-JOB TRAINING
Boost the impact of your employee development efforts with help from Polaris MEP’s “black belt” trainers.
- Lean enterprise, continuous improvement,
- quality management systems,
- succession planning, and more.
We also “train the trainers” through proven TWI Job Methods, Job Instruction, Job Relations courses.
Watch your team transform before your eyes!
RETIRING WORKFORCE
Due to the quickly approaching retirement of baby boomers, reports indicate the manufacturing sector could lose up to 40% of its skilled employees by 2024.
Polaris MEP can help you capture the knowledge of seasoned workers and leverage it to more quickly upskill younger workers. We also connect business owners to Resource specialists in succession planning to improve resilience.
DIRECT CONNECTION TO RI DLT
Polaris MEP works closely with the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training’s “Real Jobs Rhode Island” program as well as Skills for Rhode Island’s Future, among other partners.
We know which resources offer recruitment and/or grants to meet your team development needs. Polaris MEP can help your company access these programs to hire and train a more complete workforce.
PARTNERSHIPS
Polaris MEP works with a number of government, industry, and educational workforce development partners throughout the state of Rhode Island to
- hire,
- mentor,
- train, or
- retrain
- manufacturing employees.
Through us, you can support your employees from the date of their first hire through the end of their career.
ON-DEMAND TRAINING
Our new partnership with Tooling U – SME intros 4 new ways to quickly ramp up the capabilities of a new hire, or cross train/upscale current employees.
- Certified Manufacturing Associate (CMfgA),
- Machining,
- Maintenance and
- Smart Manufacturing.
Commitment to Your Team
- Get hiring, training assistance, and funding from Polaris MEP and the Rhode Island Department of Labor & Training.
- Retain your existing workforce by supporting them with training throughout their career.
- Develop programs specific to your particular hiring and retention needs.
Related
Collaboration in Action: Highlights from North Kingstown’s Manufacturers’ Forum
Collaboration in Action: Highlights from North Kingstown's Manufacturers' Forum Manufacturers from across North Kingstown gathered on May 13, 2026, for a dynamic and solutions-focused conversation at the North Kingstown’s Manufacturers’ Forum, hosted by Polaris MEP in...
Anduril Industries Named Flagship Sponsor of BlueTIDE 2026
Polaris Tech Bridge (formerly 401 Tech Bridge) announced today that Anduril Industries, a leader in defense technology and autonomous systems, will serve as a Flagship Sponsor of BlueTIDE 2026, the region’s premier ocean technology and dual-use innovation event....
Rhode Island Manufacturers: Claim Tariff Refunds—But Stay Alert to Scams
Rhode Island Manufacturers: Claim Tariff Refunds—But Stay Alert to Scams Rhode Island’s manufacturing community—made up largely of small and mid-sized businesses—is no stranger to navigating rising costs and global trade challenges. Now, there’s a potential...
The Fast Track program has been a blessing. Prospective workers are starting to get trained on what employers need now. That’s the key to the program’s success. I’ve got a student right now programming complex milling machines for aerospace products, and a year ago he was designing kitchen cabinets.
Chris Goodwin
Vice President, Goodwin-Bradley Company
Category: Hire & Retain Talent
Companies seek ‘next-generation’ makers at Manufacturing Day 2025
A shortage of qualified workers remains a familiar concern for Rhode Island’s manufacturing leaders in attendance at RI’s Future in the Making 2025. PBN’s Jacquelyn Voghel spoke with Doug Travers of Herrick & White and Rose Wood of Neocorp.
Hundreds of Rhode Island Students Explore Local Manufacturing Careers at Manufacturing Day 2025
Despite the gloomy weather, Rhode Island’s next generation of makers gathered at Farm Fresh Rhode Island on October 8th for the fourth annual Manufacturing Day Career Exploration Experience, hosted by Polaris MEP.
Measuring Harmful By-Products of Air Cleaners
This test will allow manufacturers to make improvements in their devices, enable consumers to make apples-to-apples comparisons, and pave the way for emission limits of these by-products.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Generative AI in a demanding Industrial Setting
When implemented thoughtfully, with grounding and governance, Gen AI bridges the gap between complex systems and human ingenuity.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Generative AI in a demanding Industrial Setting
When implemented thoughtfully, with grounding and governance, Gen AI bridges the gap between complex systems and human ingenuity.
Nordson EFD Completes Eighth Job Shadowing Program with Polaris MEP
Hosted by Polaris MEP and the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), this is a community-based program in its second year of support for the Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC-RI) training center in Providence, RI. The initiative aims to prepare individuals for careers in advanced manufacturing, with job shadowing being a key component of the hands-on experience in workforce training. Nordson EFD has been involved in local internships, facility tours, and hiring local Rhode Island students with the required technical skills for machining and other production jobs.
Request for Proposals: Job Training & Support Services
Polaris MEP seeks proposals from training providers for job training and support services targeting adults seeking full-time, livable-wage employment in the Advanced Manufacturing, Marine Trades, and Blue Economy sectors.
Rhode Island Manufacturers Report Tariffs Have Negatively Impacted Their Bottom Line
Survey conducted by Polaris MEP, Rhode Island Commerce and the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association captures scope of impact on Ocean State manufacturing
Compost Company Ensures Safety Priorities are “In the Mix” with Help from Rhode Island MEP Center
Case Study: Small RI Manufacturer ReMix Organics protects their bottom line – & employees with facility hazard assessment, safety training.
Additive Manufacturing Company Drives Sales Through Combination of Quality Certification and Quality Lead Generation
Case Study: Quality Certification and Lead Generation service helps RI additive manufacturing company R&D Technologies grow sales.