Sunday, September 13, 2026

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IN DEMAND: Karl Wadensten, center, CEO and president of VIBCO Inc. and R.I. Commerce Corp. board member, talks about the need for skilled workers during the first panel discussion of Providence Business News’ 2026 Workforce Development Summit at the Providence Marriott Downtown on Feb. 19. With Wadensten on the panel are, from left, Matthew Weldon, director of the R.I. Department of Labor and Training; Farouk Rajab, CEO and president of both the Rhode Island Hospitality Association and the Rhode Island Hospitality Education Foundation; and Rosa Brito, manager of workforce development at Brown University Health. PBN Editor Michael Mello, standing, moderates.
PBN PHOTO/MIKE SKORSKI

DLT urges employers to use Real Jobs RI amid uncertain federal funding

Rhode Island has built what Matthew Weldon, director of the R.I. Department of Labor and Training, calls one of the most replicated workforce systems...
TEACHING MOMENT: Aarin B. Clemons, second from right, workforce manager at Polaris MEP, speaks during a panel discussion about education at Providence Business News’ 2026 Workforce Development Summit on Feb. 19. Also on the panel are, from left, Henry Young, assistant provost at New England Institute of Technology; Donna Remington, senior director of experiential education and career services at Johnson & Wales University; John Olerio, executive director of the Office of Strategic Initiatives at the University of Rhode Island; Rosemary A. Costigan, president of the Community College of Rhode Island; and Katharine Amaral, director of programs and community partnerships at Junior Achievement of Rhode Island. 
PBN PHOTO/MIKE SKORSKI

PBN summit: Workforce readiness starts before graduation

Rhode Island’s workforce challenges are no longer confined to unemployment rates or post-pandemic churn. Instead, educators and industry leaders say the pressure point has shifted...
AN ­EVOLUTION: Kristen Regine, a Rhode Island College marketing professor, says colleges are adding more data courses with a focus on analytics as social media continues to gain in importance in marketing. 
PBN PHOTO/­MICHAEL SALERNO

Colleges embrace creator economy curriculum

Ten years ago, most social media marketing education focused intensely on controlling a brand’s messaging. Today, it’s been reimagined to prepare students for “a creator...
FILM FAMILY: The Kinnane Brothers film production company has worked on several projects with Kevin James, including their latest film, “Solo Mio,” which was released Feb. 6. Pictured from left in their Little Compton studio are brother-in-law Jeffrey Azize and brothers Daniel Kinnane, Brendan Kinnane, Patrick Kinnane, Peter Kinnane and John Kinnane. 
PBN PHOTO/DAVID HANSEN

8 bros find film success

In Little Compton, the Kinnane Brothers film and TV production company is quickly establishing itself as a force in the film industry, transcending a...
K. Joseph Shekarchi

Shekarchi receives Public Officials Award from Water Environment Federation

K. JOSEPH SHEKARCHI, speaker of the R.I. House of Representatives, has been honored by the Water Environment Federation for his leadership and contributions to...
Meg A. Warren

Why allies stay silent

What really holds people back from stepping up as allies in support of their marginalized colleagues? For example, why don’t more men say something...

Workplace safety

Does your company regularly conduct workplace safety training with employees? Yes: 50% No: 50% How often does your company perform workplace safety training? Yearly: 50% Never: 50% Every six months:...

R.I., U.K. highlight expanding blue economy partnership at URI

SOUTH KINGSTOWN – Leaders from Rhode Island and the United Kingdom gathered on Feb. 20 at the University of Rhode Island to highlight expanding...

Providence opens applications for 2026 Bradford Scholarship

PROVIDENCE – The Providence Public School District, in partnership with the city and the R.I. Department of Education, has opened applications for the 2026...

LGBTQ+ organizations to receive $87K in grants from Rhode Island Foundation

PROVIDENCE – Nonprofit organizations serving LGBTQ+ residents across Rhode Island will receive a combined $87,000 in grants from the Rhode Island Foundation’s Equity Action...
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