Registered Apprenticeship gives manufacturers a structured way to develop talent from within—combining hands-on, on-the-job training with related technical instruction to build the skills their operations need.

The Polaris Apprenticeship Challenge helps eligible Rhode Island manufacturers take that step with financial incentives to help support the investment.

Be among the first five eligible manufacturers to take the challenge.

Build a stronger business from within – Apprenticeship is more than training. It is a strategic investment in your people, your operations, and your company’s future.

Develop the skills your business needs – Every manufacturing operation has its own equipment, processes, quality standards, and technical requirements. Apprenticeship helps you develop employees around the skills your business actually needs. Build technical capabilities, close skills gaps, and prepare employees to take on more complex work and greater responsibility.

Strengthen retention and employee engagement – Employees are more likely to see a future with an employer when they have opportunities to learn, grow, and advance. A structured training and development pathway demonstrates that you are investing in your people—not just the jobs they perform today, but the careers they can build tomorrow.

Improve productivity, quality, and consistency – Formal training establishes clear expectations, reinforces best practices, and helps employees understand how to perform tasks safely and consistently. As skills improve, your business can build a stronger foundation for quality, efficiency, and reliable production.

Cross-train your team and reduce single-point dependencies – What happens when the one person who knows how to operate a critical machine is unavailable? Or when a key employee leaves and takes years of practical knowledge with them? Cross-training and structured skills development help reduce dependence on individual employees. Building a broader range of capabilities across your team can improve coverage, support production continuity, and give your business more flexibility when staffing needs change.

Preserve knowledge, prepare for the future –  Experienced employees carry valuable knowledge about your equipment, materials, processes, products, and customers. Apprenticeship creates a structured opportunity for experienced workers to share that expertise with the next generation of skilled employees—before retirement, turnover, or other workforce changes put that knowledge at risk.

Build a pipeline of homegrown talent – Instead of relying exclusively on an increasingly competitive labor market, develop talent within your organization. Apprenticeship can help prepare employees for evolving technology, new production requirements, expanded responsibilities, and future leadership opportunities.

Build a better workforce prepared to support your business today and adapt to what comes next.

Be one of the first five eligible participating manufacturers to:

1. Establish and register a Registered Apprenticeship program with the State of Rhode Island.
2. Enroll at least two employees as apprentices.

With support from Polaris MEP, you can explore the requirements, develop a plan, and navigate the registration process.

Eligible participating companies may qualify for the following incentives:

$5,000 EMPLOYER INCENTIVE

An incentive for each qualifying apprentice who successfully completes six months of training.

UP TO $10,000 FOR RELATED TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION

Reimbursement toward the classroom and technical instruction component of the apprenticeship, subject to applicable requirements.

UP TO $1,200 APPRENTICESHIP MENTOR STIPEND

A stipend to support an experienced employee who helps guide, train, and develop an apprentice.

These incentives can help offset the costs associated with training, technical instruction, and mentoring while you build a stronger internal talent pipeline.

Incentives are subject to funding availability, eligibility criteria, program requirements, and applicable reimbursement rules. Participation and payment are not guaranteed. Confirm all terms before enrolling.

If your company makes or assembles products, Registered Apprenticeship may be worth exploring.

Potentially relevant industries include:

• Food and beverage manufacturing
• Jewelry and precision manufacturing
• Textiles and composites
• Metals, machining, and fabrication
• Plastics and advanced materials
• Machinery and equipment manufacturing
• Other product-based manufacturing industries

Whether you need to develop specialized technical skills, strengthen cross-training, prepare for retirement, improve production consistency, or create advancement opportunities for employees, apprenticeship may offer a practical path forward.

Final eligibility depends on the applicable program criteria and requirements.

Polaris MEP can help you:

• Assess your workforce needs and training priorities.
• Explore eligibility and potential apprenticeship occupations.
• Understand program structure and registration requirements.
• Plan for on-the-job training and related technical instruction.
• Identify the steps needed to enroll employees and develop mentors.
• Navigate the process and understand ongoing program responsibilities.

The goal is to help you build a training approach that works for your business and supports your long-term workforce strategy, even beyond the completion of the program.

You bring the commitment to your workforce. We’ll help you navigate the path forward.

Ready to get started? Complete the application below, and a member of our team will be in touch after reviewing your submission to discuss next steps.

In the meantime, contacts us should you have any additional questions, or would like to learn more about our workforce development programs.