Thursday, April 16, 2026

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Should Rhode Island raise the minimum wage beyond next January’s already...

In 2018, Rhode Island’s minimum wage was $10.10. It’s increased eight times since then, to $16 an hour. In January, it will rise again to...
Nishita Roy-Pope founded professional-development startup Tribe Academy LLC, d/b/a Courage Builder, in North Kingstown in 2020. / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Invest in courage

Nishita Roy-Pope | Courage Builder CEO Across my professional journey spanning Fortune 500 companies, startups, nonprofits and higher education, I’ve observed a consistent pattern. We...

On the road

How often do you travel for business? More than 3 times per year: 100% Once per year: 0% 2-3 times per year: 0% Has your business travel increased...

‘It’s not luck’: Bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand highlights consistency, discipline at...

SMITHFIELD – Though author Elin Hilderbrand has been called "queen of the beach read," achieving the title – and establishing it as a moniker...

Getting together

How often do you attend events for networking? At least once per month: 100% At least once every six months: 0% At least once per year: 0% Never:...
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...
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:...
KARL WADENSTEN, third from the left, CEO and president VIBCO Inc., speaks at the Providence Business News Workforce Development Summit on Thursday morning. Also on the first of two panels is, from left, Matthew Weldon, director of the R.I. Department of Labor and Training; Farouk Rajab, CEO and president of the Rhode Island Hospitality Association and the Rhode Island Hospitality Education Foundation; and Rosa Brito, workforce development manager for Brown University Health. PBN Editor Michael Mello, standing, moderated. PBN PHOTO/MIKE SKORSKI

PBN summit: Skills gaps, demographics challenges linger for R.I. workforce

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island’s labor market is stable by the numbers, with unemployment below 5% for more than four years, yet for many employers,...
Karl Wadensten

Man, machine and making wise choices in an AI economy

I’ve spent my life in manufacturing – real factories, real people, real machines. I’ve lived through multiple waves of technology – computer numerical control...
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