At MRC, the Production Track in our Workforce Development program isn’t just about getting shipping boxes ready. It’s about giving people real work to do and a place where they can feel good about doing it. That’s why we’re excited about our new partnership with SELECT Hinges.
Thanks to a partnership with SELECT Hinges, MRC clients are gaining paid, hands-on manufacturing experience through a 12-week production contract. Together, they are assembling and packaging 7,800 total hinge boxes while learning the habits and skills expected in today’s workforce.
We’ve already seen clients find their rhythm with it. One client has become our go-to stapler. She’s fast, consistent, and takes a lot of pride in doing it right. Another client told us this is his “dream job.” When we asked what he liked most, he didn’t say anything at first, just smiled and rubbed his fingers together. And honestly, that’s important too.
One of the most meaningful parts of this partnership happened outside of the production room. Our clients had the opportunity to tour the SELECT Hinges facility and see where their work fits into the bigger picture. They met employees, learned how the hinges are manufactured, and watched the production process from start to finish. Seeing the final product and understanding how the boxes they assemble support the company’s operations helped make the work feel even more meaningful.
Each task the clients complete mirror work performed in manufacturing settings. Clients learn to follow detailed instructions, maintain quality standards, work efficiently, communicate with teammates, and take pride in producing a finished product. Along the way, they also build the soft skills employers value most: showing up on time, staying focused, solving problems, and supporting one another.
This partnership has also been meaningful on the SELECT Hinges side. When they shared the news internally, one of their employees said, “That’s so cool!”. People want to be part of something like this. That’s what this partnership is about.
SELECT Hinges isn’t simply outsourcing a project. They are helping create meaningful employment opportunities, strengthening the local workforce, and demonstrating what inclusive employment can look like in action.
It might start with something as simple as folding a box. But it doesn’t stay simple for long.