Warwick, RI – October 9, 2012 – What does it mean to see business problems in your community and use your voice to contribute to the conversation in a meaningful way? Find out on Wednesday, October 10th, when Tim Hebert, Atrion CEO, joins fellow panelists, peers, and audience members for the second "Publick Occurrences" event, a three-part series hosted by The Providence Journal and in partnership with Rhode Island College and Leadership RI.
The forums address topics from The Providence Journal's year-long 'Reinvent Rhode Island' print series, which has focused on the economic forecasts that suggest Rhode Island may not recover from the Great Recession until the year 202, by looking at solutions for improving the state's tough economy. The Journal is calling this event "face-to-face journalism," and seeks out experts with fresh ideas about turning around the post-industrial economy in Rhode Island.
Tim Hebert was chosen as a premiere panelist for the event. On Wednesday, he will participate in the discussion hosted at Sapinsley Hall, on the Rhode Island College campus, to lend his voice and respond to audience participation on the subject of "Jobs Vs. Skills: The perpetual mismatch in Rhode Island."
The Journal gathered top education, labor, business and government leaders who will explore the mismatch in the skills workers have and the kinds of jobs available in Rhode Island. This topic is at the root of Tim’s invitation to participate in this important and collaborative forum: as CEO of a burgeoning technology company that continues to develop as a leading IT services provider, Tim has his finger on the pulse of the local workforce and foresaw a deficit in the talent pool and skill requirements in IT practitioners of the future.
As Atrion grew, so did the need for more employees with remarkable skills; individuals who would be expected to not only meet – but surpass – the technology and service needs of Atrion's clients. Under Tim’s leadership and guidance, Atrion sought to answer the problem of a skill-gap with an in-house solution: a year-long intensive apprentice program that would support a new crop of talent by providing technical education, and dovetail certified IT skill enhancements with the core values that have defined the culture of Atrion.
Atrion’s Internetworking Associate Apprentice Program was recognized in 2012 by the US Department of Labor, Employment & Training and, as the first information technology Registered Apprenticeship program in Rhode Island, has partnered with the RI Department of Labor & Training as well as the RI State Apprenticeship Council.
At The Providence Journal’s “Publick Occurrences” forum, audience members are not only encouraged to ask questions, they also will provide responses through the use of iClicker technology. Students from Rhode Island College will distribute to the audience 100 “clickers,” or small remote control devices that immediately register responses to questions and concepts explored by the panelists.
As the questions are asked, the responses will be displayed in real-time on projected screens in the event venue. This type of "on-site" call-and-response will help further the conversation at a faster rate; provide immediate feedback to panelists as well as the moderator, and supply accurate information on community opinion.
At this “Publick Occurrences” event, held on Wednesday, October 10th, at 6 p.m., in Sapinsley Hall, Rhode Island College, Tim will be joined by the following panel members: Ray DiPasquale, President of CCRI, Higher Education; David Abbot, Acting Commissioner, RI Department of Education; Steven Kitchin, Vice President, Corporate, Education and Training, NEIT; Mary Sullivan, Director, STEM Center, Rhode Island College; George H. Nee, President, AFL-CIO, Member, Governor’s Workforce Board; Rick Brooks, Executive Director, Governor’s Workforce Board; Carol Holmquist, President and CEO, Dorcas Place; Richard Nischo, Graduate, RIC Outreach Program.
You dont have to go to participate. Everyone is encouraged Tweet and follow hashtag: #reinventRI.