A Whole New Workforce

Workforce Training as Public Project Programming

We did something new this Fall, thanks to the Central Providence Health Equity Zone. Through this awesome program by the Rhode Island Department of Health, and our partners over at One Neighborhood Builders, we ran a new version of Workforce Training at the Yard.

WHAT’S THE SAME?

The program starts with a very similar structure to our old Weld to Work: a week-long training where we introduce participants to the metal shop and metalworking. We will of course carry over our awesome Yardie values and spirit, pay folks a stipend for participating, and hire a local artist as the instructor.

WHAT’S DIFFERENT

The curriculum is now more focused on what we do in Public Projects- community-engaged art!
After the week-long program, participants will be eligible to apply for a 3 month long, part-time apprenticeship in Public Projects! We have two spots available for this, where participants will be paid $15/hour for 20 hours/week to continue working on – you guessed it- community-engaged public art projects. This will give a lot more hands-on experience to these folks, and broaden their skillset.
We are committed to trying to make an equitable impact in Central Providence: this means residents of Olneyville, Valley, Federal Hill, and Hartford will be given preference, as well as folks who have faced barriers due to oppression or injustice.

Congratulations to the first cohort!

This fall, six amazing and talented folks completed the new Workforce Program under Public Projects. The team fabricated two sets of five bike racks to be installed at the new Farm Fresh site next door. The bike racks are designed by the Public Projects team and are minimal yet artistic design.

Special thanks to our Workforce instructors Amber Dauphinee and our Art Production Coordinator John Nguyen. And congratulations to the participants- y’all did an amazing job!