Nordson EFD Completes Eighth Job Shadowing Program with Polaris MEP

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Nordson EFD, a Nordson company, announced it has completed its eighth year of support for the "Fast Track to Advanced Manufacturing" job shadowing program. Hosted by Polaris MEP and the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), this is a community-based program in its second year of support for the Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC-RI) training center in Providence, RI. The initiative aims to prepare individuals for careers in advanced manufacturing, with job shadowing being a key component of the hands-on experience in workforce training. Nordson EFD has been involved in local internships, facility tours, and hiring local Rhode Island students with the required technical skills for machining and other production jobs. The company partners with Fortune 500 companies and start-ups to solve the many challenges in assembly production with engineered dispensing technology.

According to Polaris MEP, the Rhode Island manufacturing industry is experiencing a skills gap that translates to more available jobs than there are qualified workers. They estimate 3.5 million new skilled manufacturing jobs will be created in the next decade. "Fast Track to CNC Manufacturing" is a full-time 19-week program that introduces the fundamentals of manufacturing, safety, precision measurement and blueprint reading. Nordson EFD hosted 2 trainees from the last cohort as job shadow interns for three days a week, which adds a valuable applied learning component to the students’ classroom and workshop education. Nordson EFD’s precision fluid dispensing systems are manufactured at its East Providence, RI facility and utilized by various industries including medical device, electronics, and more.

"My job shadow experience at Nordson EFD was a pleasant one,” stated Kudirat Aiyedun. “I worked with engaging employees on the manufacturing floor who were all helpful and friendly. Some employees also helped me with ideas and training for my final project, which was Solid Works - ENGR 1030. I was instructed on how to read blueprints and operation sheets, as well as the use of a height gage, a micrometer and calipers. I was also taught how to set up a CNC milling machine during my internship. I enjoyed my time at Nordson EFD."

"Nordson EFD has been an important employer partner since the inception of the program. They've opened their doors to our trainees, giving them hands on experience through job-shadowing opportunities,” states Aarin B. Clemons, Workforce Manager at Polaris MEP.

“We were among the first companies in Rhode Island to sign up with Polaris MEP to host and hire students participating in this mentorship program that prepares individuals for entry-level positions such as machinists/toolmakers and CNC operators,” states Scott Menko, Director of Operations, Nordson EFD. “Job shadowing with industry professionals builds skills through practical learning, as students observe how tasks are performed in a real-world manufacturing environment. The networking aspect of the experience gives employers the opportunity to meet and nurture fresh talent with the potential to be hired after graduation.”