APPLICATION
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN UNTIL JULY 7, 2026!
CLICK BELOW FOR MORE INFO
Applications for our Workforce Welding programs are currently open until July 7, 2026!
For assistance with applying, please email workforce@thesteelyard.org.
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RI DEM) has partnered with The Steel Yard to repurpose materials recovered from a sunken barge that was removed from the Public Street waterfront access site.
The Steel Yard will host a one-week welding training program to help fabricate and bring to life the designs developed through the community meetings with residents and neighbors in the area. This program teaches the same skills that are learned by our standard Workforce Welding program.
Please note that applicants must be RHODE ISLAND residents.
Workforce 201 is a one week training program for Workforce Welding alumni to deepen knowledge of fabrication, design and job skills to support their development. Participants will learn jig making, cold bending, stick welding, job quoting and client relations, all of which are useful skills in upwards mobility in fabrication jobs.
This program expands upon the initial skills learned in Workforce Welding to encourage agility and expertise in metalworking. Each lesson will be taught by a different artist, expanding the networks of the participants and demonstrating different ways that a career in fabrication can be achieved.
Please note that applicants must be PROVIDENCE residents.
Our workforce welding program is a paid job-readiness program designed to widen participants’ employable skills thus making participants more eligible for a variety of jobs in local industries. This one-week intensive program will introduce participants to studio safety, creative problem solving and basic metalworking tools such as the: drill press, band saw, chop saw, angle grinder, oxy-acetylene torch, plasma cutter, and MIG welder. These skills will be applied to a public project that will be installed in the local community.
Please note that applicants must be RHODE ISLAND residents.
ELIGIBILITY
For the Spring 2026 cycle, applicants will need to register with the American Job Center prior to the start of the program. Accepted students must be eligible for WIOA funding as outlined below:
- Age Requirement: 18+ for adult programs.
- Citizenship Status: U.S. citizens or non-citizens authorized to work in the U.S.
- Selective Service Registration: Males born after December 31, 1959, must register with the Selective Service. This can be done at the American Job Center upon registration with them.
- Preference will be give to veterans, low income individuals and underemployed or unemployed adults.
ACCESSIBILITY
Participants will need to be able to comfortably do the following:
- Physically able to participate in an industrial shop
- Can tolerate loud noises and flashing lights
- Able to lift 30lbs
- Able to stand for long periods at a time
- Able to read and understand English
For questions about accessibility and accommodation, please email john@thesteelyard.org
APPLICATION CYCLE
Season
Fall 2026
Spring 2027
Fall 2027
Spring 2028
Fall 2028
Program Dates
9/14-9/18/2026
4/12-4/16/2027
9/13-9/17/2027
4/17-4/21/2028
9/18-9/22/2028
Applications Open
June 1, 2026
January 1, 2027
June 1, 2027
January 1, 2028
June 1, 2028
Applications Close
July 7, 2026
February 1, 2027
July 1, 2027
February 1, 2028
July 1, 2028