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
Rhode Island Commerce Hosts Manufacturing Sector Resource Fair
Rhode Island Commerce Hosts Manufacturing Sector Resource Fair Rhode Island Commerce hosted a resource fair at Taco Comfort Solutions in Cranston for local manufacturers highlighting new programs that support the industry, as well as existing programs and initiatives...
Governor McKee and Rhode Island Commerce Host Resource Fair for Rhode Island Food Manufacturers
Governor McKee and Rhode Island Commerce Host Resource Fair for Rhode Island Food Manufacturers Governor Dan McKee and Rhode Island Commerce hosted an online resource fair for Rhode Island food manufacturers. Rhode Island boasts a $12 billion food economy centered...
Why Providence? – The Providence Jewelry Museum Story
Why Providence? - The Providence Jewelry Museum Story Once the jewelry capital of the world, Providence's bejeweled past deserves to be celebrated and shared for years to come. Help preserve the history of the American Jewelry Industry. Learn more:...
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
Downeast Coffee Roasters Brews >$1.5 Million in Savings Through Lean Process Improvements
Polaris MEP helps RI’s Downeast Coffee Roasters brew efficiency – & more than $1.5Million in savings – through lean process improvements.
The Rhode Island Manufacturing Data Dashboard
Polaris MEP, Rhode Island's Manufacturing Extension Partnership, has added a new feature to its website: the Rhode Island Manufacturing Data Dashboard. The dashboard provides an overall snapshot of the state’s economy and, in particular, data points indicating how the...
Workforce Solutions – RIMA Conference Spring 2021 with Polaris MEP
Polaris MEP presents a webinar discussing the basics of workforce solutions for Rhode Island manufacturers
Four Ways Polaris MEP Can Help RI Manufacturers with Sustainability
Sustainable manufacturing can provide a competitive advantage & drive growth. Polaris MEP helps RI manufacturers identify & sustain savings.
Walmart’s Annual Open Call for Products Made, Grown or Assembled in the U.S.
Is your product made in Rhode Island? Entrepreneurs and Manufacturing companies in the state are invited to apply to Walmart’s Open Call.
Robots for Manufacturing with Polaris MEP
Polaris MEP leads a conversation with RI Manufacturers building and using robots at work to assist in manufacturing.
ISO Bites with Chris Cinieri, March 2021
Polaris MEP offers actionable tips for receiving your ISO 9001 certification for Rhode Island manufacturers. Topic: Quality Objectives.
Business Operating Systems for Manufacturers
Discover the WHY & HOW TO of a business operating system for small and medium sized Rhode Island manufacturers.
PBN 2021 Manufacturing Awards
Polaris MEP Center Director Kathie Mahoney discusses the potential of government contracting for manufacturing sales with RI PTAC’s Melody Weeks.
Value Stream Mapping Helps Lost Art Cultured Foods “Find” Time and Increase Product Quality
Case Study: Learn how a Rhode Island food manufacturer reduced expenses and improved quality through Value Stream Mapping.




