On March 6, 2026, Junior Achievement of Southwest New England hosted the inaugural JA Maritime Workforce Solution Summit at Central Connecticut State University, bringing together students, educators, and industry leaders for a hands-on innovation challenge focused on the future of the maritime and advanced manufacturing workforce.
Thirty-six students from four Connecticut high schools came prepared to tackle real-world challenges facing the maritime industry. Working in teams, students applied design thinking, problem solving, and collaboration to analyze commonly used industry tools, identify limitations, and propose innovative solutions aimed at improving safety, efficiency, and quality within the Submarine Industrial Base.
The Summit was designed to go beyond traditional career awareness. Through the JA Maritime initiative, students engage directly with the kinds of challenges engineers, technicians, and manufacturers face every day. By working through the design thinking process – analyzing problems, brainstorming solutions, prototyping ideas, and presenting their concepts – students gain practical, employable competencies that prepare them for success in the future workforce.
Workforce Solutions Summit judge panel
What made the day especially meaningful was the direct collaboration between education and industry. Professionals from across Connecticut’s maritime and manufacturing sectors served as mentors, speakers, and judges, providing students with valuable insight into real career pathways and industry expectations.
Chris Bain, President of BNL Industries and an industry judge for the competition, reflected on the caliber of student talent on display:
“I walked away impressed with the students. The level of thought, preparation, and creativity they brought to the competition was outstanding. If today is any indication of the talent coming behind us, the future workforce is in very good hands.”
— Chris Bain, President, BNL Industries
Participating industry partners included representatives from the Connecticut Office of Manufacturing, BNL Industries, TTM Technologies, Collins Aerospace (an RTX business), the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT), and General Dynamics Electric Boat, along with faculty and student volunteers from Central Connecticut State University’s School of Engineering, Science, and Technology.
Hosting the Summit at Central Connecticut State University created a natural bridge between high school technical education and the next step in students’ academic and professional journeys.
Alex Grey, the University Initiatives Lead for the Maritime Industrial Base Program (MIB), emphasized the importance of building early connections between students and the industries shaping our national workforce.
“We must engage students early and often if we are to inspire the next generation of shipbuilding talent. I was excited to see so many future engineers working through some of the most pressing issues facing our shipyards today, that is the type of passion we need in young people to move the needle.”
– Alex Grey, University Lead, MIB
At the conclusion of the competition, student teams presented their innovative concepts to a panel of industry judges.
Competition results included:
- 1st Place – Howell Cheney Technical High School
- 2nd Place – RiverTech Magnet School
- 3rd Place – A.I. Prince Technical High School
Group photo of participating students.
Students from New Britain High School’s Manufacturing, Engineering, and Technology (MET) Academy were also recognized with the JA Design Thinking Excellence Award, honoring their creativity, teamwork, and thoughtful approach to the innovation process.
The Workforce Solution Summit reflects the mission of JA Maritime: connecting students to high-growth industries while building the skills employers need most. By creating experiences where students can engage directly with industry professionals and real challenges, the program helps bridge the gap between education and the workforce.
Perhaps the most powerful takeaway from the day came directly from a student participant who shared that the experience inspired them to reconsider their future career path and explore opportunities within the Submarine Industrial Base.
Moments like this reinforce the importance of programs that expose students to the industries shaping our region’s future.
The inaugural Summit demonstrated what is possible when education, industry, and community partners come together to invest in the next generation of innovators, problem solvers, and skilled professionals – and for many of these students, this was just the beginning.