Meet Jim
Rhode Island - Meet Jim
Workforce Success Story Submitted By: RI Department of Labor and Training
Workforce Challenge
When Jim Leath, a facilities engineer in the manufacturing industry, was laid off in October 2009, the unemployment rate in his home state of Rhode Island was 12.3 percent and rising. The manufacturing industry had been hit particularly hard by the recession. Jim knew that the competition for the jobs available in that sector was fierce, and that he needed to take steps to stand out in the crowd of applicants.
Workforce Solution
At the netWORKri career one-stop center in Providence, Jim learned about the Metrix online learning system which allows job seekers to enroll in free training modules accessible at any time from any computer with an internet connection. Jim was impressed with the breadth-more than 5,000 courses-and the variety of offerings, as well as the convenience of the training. "I could sit down when I wanted to do it, and work at my own pace," he said.
Outcomes & Benefits
Jim began by taking Metrix courses in environmental safety and other subjects related to his previous job. "I wanted to keep my skills sharp," he said. Then, he began to branch out, enrolling in project management courses that, after 40 hours of instruction, led to his earning a certificate in the subject. According to Jim, it was that certification that helped him rise above the competition and land a new job as a plan engineer.
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