Episode 19: Fair Chance Hiring: Integrating Diverse Talent into Rhode Island’s Manufacturing Workforce w/Lindsey Brickle and Aarin Clemons

Episode Overview:

This week, Matt was joined by Lindsey Brickle, Director, Workforce & Community Partnerships, and Aarin Clemons, Workforce Manager, with Polaris MEP; the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center in the great state of Rhode Island. Our conversation covers many strategies for accelerating the pace of progress in bringing new people of all backgrounds and circumstances into the manufacturing workforce to achieve meaningful work and good pay! We talk about Polaris MEP’s innovative training program partnerships they have made in their region, to include a CNC training program conducted entirely within a women’s correctional facility to equip justice-involved individuals with the skills needed to transition into long-term careers. Polaris is also supporting the expansion of a Uniquely Abled Academy to broaden career pathways for individuals with autism.

Our conversation also weaves in the importance of regional collaboration with neighboring states, particularly Massachusetts and Connecticut, to bolster the manufacturing ecosystem. Lindsey and Aarin also emphasize the role of federal funding in enabling these initiatives and bringing together multiple stakeholders. Building trust within communities and engaging with them directly is seen as essential for promoting manufacturing careers. Thank you Lindsey and Aarin for joining the podcast and sharing your best strategies that others could adopt to build national progress! 

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Thank you to the Economic Development Administration for their partnership in producing this podcast. This podcast was prepared in part using Federal funds under award 3070145 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Participants:

• Lindsey Brickle, Director, Workforce & Community Partnerships, Polaris MEP
• Aarin Clemons, Workforce Manager, Polaris MEP
• Matt Bogoshian: Executive Director, American Manufacturing Communities Collaborative and host of the podcast.

💡 Key Ideas:

• Interstate Collaboration: Polaris MEP and its partners work closely with neighboring state stakeholders to strengthen the regional manufacturing ecosystem.
• Innovative Training Programs: Innovative training programs like Fast Track to CNC Manufacturing are highlighted as effective ways to integrate diverse talent into the manufacturing workforce.
• Holistic Approach: Emphasizing trust-building and community engagement as key strategies in workforce development.
• Workforce Pipeline: Developing training programs that provide stackable credentials and career pathways.

🔗Links to Learn More:

• Find Lindsey on Linkedin.
• Fina Aarin on Linkedin.
• Learn more about Fast Track to CNC Manufacturing.

• Follow AMCC on Linkedin.
• Find Matt on Linkedin.