Building Careers, Changing Lives: JARC RI, Polaris MEP, and the Future of Manufacturing

PROVIDENCE, RI –

In the heart of Providence, Rhode Island, the Jane Addams Resource Corporation Rhode Island (JARC RI) is quietly transforming lives — one weld, one machine, and one career at a time. Through its exceptional workforce training programs, JARC RI is providing individuals with the skills they need to thrive in manufacturing careers. And through a key partnership with Polaris MEP, that training translates into real-world job placements, helping graduates find meaningful employment in Rhode Island’s robust manufacturing sector.

At JARC RI, the mission is simple but powerful: provide people with the skills they need to earn family-sustaining wages. The organization offers free training in high-demand manufacturing skills like welding, CNC operation, and machining. But JARC’s impact goes beyond just technical instruction — they wrap students in holistic support, including financial coaching, job readiness preparation, and personal development resources.

A Partnership Forging Futures

That’s where Polaris MEP comes in. As a statewide nonprofit that supports manufacturers, Polaris MEP works closely with JARC RI to connect graduates with companies hungry for skilled workers. It’s a partnership built on a shared vision: strengthening Rhode Island’s manufacturing workforce while opening doors for individuals who want to build brighter futures.

This collaboration has led to success stories like that of trainee, Isabella — or “Izzy,” as she’s known to her peers.

Meet Izzy: From Artist to Welder

Izzy’s journey is one of resilience, creativity, and transformation. A full-time artist and writer by background, Izzy was searching for a stable career path — one that would allow her to grow while staying true to her creative roots. That search led her to JARC RI.

“What motivated me to join JARC was the need for a stable career path that promoted growth within my chosen field,” Izzy shared. At JARC, she found more than just technical skills; she discovered a community.

“JARC provided all the material necessary to have a good learned foundation in welding, general shop tools, and working with others within my community to reach shared and personal goals,” she explained.

The program offered Izzy not only hands-on training but also valuable exposure to the manufacturing world. Facility tours to places like Yushin, Primary Flow Signal, The Steel Yard, and R&D Technologies opened her eyes to the diverse environments within manufacturing — from high-tech operations to artistic fabrication spaces.

“My favorite part about these tours was seeing the variety of environments that manufacturing had to offer,” Izzy said. “They definitely helped me narrow down what kind of facility I would like to see myself in long-term as a career.”

Like many students, Izzy faced challenges along the way — but she credits the unwavering support of her instructors, peers, and the resource team with helping her push through. “Most of the challenges I faced were with myself, as someone who has never pursued a career, but the ample amount of support I received got me through whatever blocks I had.”

Today, Izzy is eager to launch into a manufacturing career that offers long-term opportunities and continued education. Her advice to future JARC students is heartfelt and wise: “Utilize every resource this program has to offer. Following your chosen career path entails many different parts, and taking all of the journey seriously will help you build a solid foundation to success.”

The Bigger Picture

The partnership between JARC RI and Polaris MEP is a shining example of how collaboration can strengthen both individuals and industries. JARC trains, Polaris places — and together, they’re building a more resilient, inclusive manufacturing workforce for Rhode Island.

For manufacturers, it’s a win: access to a pipeline of motivated, skilled workers. For students like Izzy, it’s life-changing: a path to confidence, stability, and purpose.

As Rhode Island continues to invest in its manufacturing future, programs like JARC RI and partnerships like the one with Polaris MEP will remain essential — not only to filling jobs, but to transforming lives.

If you have any questions about Polaris MEP’s workforce programs & partners, please email Workforce Manager, Aarin Clemons, at aclemons@polarismep.org

To learn more about JARC RI’s training programs, please visit: https://jarctraining.org/locations/providence/