At least half of the men accepted into classes at We Make RI say they want to be machinists, or computer numerically controlled operators.
The jobs pay relatively well, and often involve programming machines to drill and cut to produce a specialized part.
It also requires math skills.
“They get to do trigonometry, and it’s like crashing into a snowbank,” said We Make RI Executive Director Barbara Jackson.
Students aren’t left to flounder – instructors provide extra help, or maybe suggest a slightly different career path, such as a nonprogramming machinist.
Women tend to come in with lower expectations, but instructors are quick with a challenge.
“Three-quarters of the women say they just want to work on the line, but we say no. We get them some skills, we teach them to drive a forklift, we work to increase their confidence,” Jackson said.
The nonprofit partners closely with the state’s Real Jobs Rhode Island program, its main source of funding, and has provided job training and placement in manufacturing since its creation in 2003.
Programs benefit from working closely with Rhode Island manufacturers, who in turn hire or apprentice students. We Make RI, working with Apprenticeship RI, is looking to register 195 apprenticeships by October 2020.
New to the curriculum are advanced packaging and shipping and food-production technician programs. The courses supplement We Make RI’s longstanding instruction in the quality production technician, programming and nonprogramming machinist technician fields.
Advanced packaging and shipping includes forklift, powerjack and powerlift training, but also focuses on the fine points of packaging warehouse goods for shipping.
“You’re not just taking things and shoving them in a brown box and leaving them on the loading dock,” Jackson said.
Students also learn documentation, measuring and inspection skills in preparation for a career in logistics, which, according to We Make RI, is a fast-growing sector of Rhode Island’s manufacturing industry.
Food manufacturing is growing as well, Jackson said. Students in the food-production technician program require such specific training that We Make RI works with companies to ensure it is on target. Graduates of the program work for companies that manufacture packages meant to contain food.
Programs at We Make RI connect students with jobs and apprenticeships, but training can be rigorous.
Since May 2017, 192 people have shown up for classes. Of that number, 68 withdrew or were asked to leave before graduation, Jackson said.
“We had people whose real life got in the way of going back to work,” Jackson said, adding students are welcome to return for a second try.
“We Make RI is the place that you go if you want to work in manufacturing and you want a job in the end, but you have to be willing to go to work,” she said.
OWNER: Board of directors
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Nonprofit,offers training in manufacturing
LOCATION: 25 Sharpe Drive, Cranston
EMPLOYEES: Eight
YEAR ESTABLISHED: 2003
ANNUAL BUDGET: WND
Elizabeth Graham is a PBN staff writer. Contact her at Graham@PBN.com.
