Nordson EFD Completes Eighth Year of Job Shadowing Program with Polaris MEP and CCRI
Nordson EFD, a Nordson company (NASDAQ: NDSN), has announced the successful completion of its eighth year supporting the “Fast Track to Advanced Manufacturing” job shadowing program. This initiative, hosted by Polaris MEP in collaboration with the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), is designed to give students and trainees a practical pathway into careers in advanced manufacturing. In recent years, the program has also partnered with the Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC-RI) training center in Providence, Rhode Island, strengthening its community reach and workforce development mission.
The program continues to be a vital bridge between classroom learning and the realities of modern manufacturing. Its emphasis on job shadowing ensures that participants are not only learning theory but also gaining hands-on skills that employers in the state are actively seeking. Nordson EFD’s role in this initiative reflects its long-standing commitment to both innovation and community engagement, particularly in preparing the next generation of skilled workers.
Addressing a Skills Gap in Rhode Island Manufacturing
The need for such programs is driven by an urgent workforce challenge. According to Polaris MEP, Rhode Island’s manufacturing sector faces a persistent skills gap: there are more open positions than qualified candidates available to fill them. On a national scale, it is estimated that 3.5 million new skilled manufacturing jobs will be created over the next decade, a figure that underscores both the opportunities and the challenges ahead.
Programs like “Fast Track to CNC Manufacturing”, which runs full-time over 19 weeks, directly address this issue. The curriculum introduces participants to the fundamentals of manufacturing, including essential areas such as workplace safety, precision measurement, and blueprint reading. To complement classroom instruction, Nordson EFD hosted two trainees from the most recent cohort as job shadow interns, who worked on-site three days each week. This arrangement provides an invaluable applied learning component, reinforcing what students study in lectures and workshops.
Nordson EFD’s Contribution to Workforce Training
At its East Providence, Rhode Island facility, Nordson EFD manufactures precision fluid dispensing systems that are critical for industries such as electronics, medical devices, and other advanced applications. By welcoming trainees into its operations, the company gives them exposure to the realities of high-tech manufacturing environments and the expectations of employers.
Nordson EFD has consistently partnered with both large-scale Fortune 500 companies and smaller start-ups, leveraging its engineered dispensing technology to solve complex challenges in assembly and production. Extending this problem-solving mindset to community workforce development reflects the company’s belief in investing in people as much as in technology.
A Trainee’s Perspective
For the students, the experience goes beyond skill-building—it provides confidence and real-world readiness. One trainee, Kudirat Aiyedun, shared her appreciation for the internship:
“My job shadow experience at Nordson EFD was a pleasant one. 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.”
Such testimonials highlight the program’s tangible value for trainees who are preparing for technical careers in Rhode Island’s growing manufacturing sector.
Industry Partners Recognize the Value
The success of the program depends on collaboration between education providers, nonprofit organizations, and employers. Aarin B. Clemons, Workforce Manager at Polaris MEP, emphasized the role Nordson EFD has played:
“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.”
From Nordson EFD’s perspective, the investment pays off not just in terms of community engagement but also in building a pipeline of talent. Scott Menko, Director of Operations at Nordson EFD, noted the long-term benefits:
Building the Future of Advanced Manufacturing
As Rhode Island and the nation prepare for the next decade of manufacturing growth, initiatives like this program will play a crucial role in ensuring that industries have the workforce they need. By combining classroom education with hands-on internships, Polaris MEP, CCRI, JARC-RI, and Nordson EFD are creating sustainable pathways into well-paying, in-demand careers.
For Nordson EFD, completing its eighth consecutive year of participation is not only a milestone but also a reaffirmation of its dedication to local communities and the broader manufacturing ecosystem. With continued collaboration, the company and its partners hope to inspire more individuals to pursue careers in advanced manufacturing—ensuring the region remains competitive and innovative well into the future.
