Organizational example:

Organization/Program

Rhode Island Manufacturing Extension Services (RIMES) and Rhode Island Human Resources Investment Council

North Kingstown, RI

Program Purpose

To provide workforce development solutions for small-mid sized manufacturing employers to elevate competitiveness and profitability in the Rhode Island area.

Program Description

In partnership with the Rhode Island Human Resources Investment Council (effectively the WIB), Rhode Island Manufacturing Extension Services (RIMES) and Rhode Island Human Resources Investment Council receives state funds that allows them to collect matching federal funds from the US Department of Commerce/National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Rhode Island Manufacturing Extension Services’ (RIMES) and Rhode Island Human Resources Investment Council knowledge of and working relationships with state and local workforce development agencies has enabled them to link these local resources to employers who need them. These services include highly-valued funding opportunities that employers can use for incumbent worker training, layoff aversion strategies, etc. Rhode Island Manufacturing Extension Services (RIMES) and Rhode Island Human Resources Investment Council meets regularly with local WIBs in order to learn more about the local economy and to communicate employer needs and feedback.

Rhode Island Manufacturing Extension Services (RIMES) and Rhode Island Human Resources Investment Counciland staff members meet regularly with their employer partners to identify their needs and then they work to connect the employers to the necessary resources. In addition, according to Rhode Island Human Resources Investment Council and Rhode Island Manufacturing Extension Services’ (RIMES) Vice President of Operations, Leslie Taito, 11 of the 16 current board members are small-mid sized manufacturing employers. Rhode Island Manufacturing Extension Services (RIMES) and Rhode Island Human Resources Investment Council often uses them as focus groups to further gauge local industry needs. Another strategy includes offering classes (related to process improvement) to their employer partners so that they can learn about current resources available to them through the One-Stop System. Classes in value stream mapping and lean manufacturing are held several times each month.

Progress

Since 1996, Rhode Island Manufacturing Extension Services (RIMES) and Rhode Island Human Resources Investment Council has worked with 600+ manufacturers in a wide variety of industries throughout Rhode Island. According to Rhode Island Human Resources Investment Council and Rhode Island Manufacturing Extension Services’ (RIMES) website, some of its clients reported the following successes:

• Rhode Island Manufacturing Extension Services (RIMES) and Rhode Island Human Resources Investment Council project paid for itself in 3 months
• Production increase of at least 15% with no additional resources
• Average operational savings of $2,000 to $3,000 per month
• Productivity increased more than 25%
• Employee training that previously took 3-6 months and gave limited product knowledge, now takes several weeks and produces fully cross-trained\ employees
• Immeasurable improvement in morale

Contact Information

Leslie Taito
Vice President, Operations
35 Tourgee Street
North Kingstown , RI 02852
T: 401.294.3535
ltaito@rimes.org
www.rimes.org