December 9–11, 2025 | Rhode Island Convention Center

From December 9–11, 2025, Junior Achievement of Rhode Island welcomed more than 5,800 eighth-grade students from 41 schools to the annual JA Inspire Career Exploration Fair at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Representing 58% of the state’s eighth-grade population, the event continues to be one of the most impactful early career exploration experiences for Rhode Island students.

This year, JA Maritime returned with a strong presence, featuring a full section of the exhibit floor dedicated to maritime careers and the Submarine Industrial Base (SIB). The space brought together industry, education, and workforce partners to help students explore high-demand careers that support Rhode Island’s economy and national security.

Debut of the JA Class Submarine Display

A highlight of the 2025 event was the debut of the JA Class Submarine display, a large-scale visual developed in collaboration with Build Submarines. The display served as a central attraction within the maritime section, helping students visualize the scope of the submarine industrial base and sparking conversations about the many careers that support it across engineering, manufacturing, skilled trades, and technology.

A Dedicated Maritime and Submarine Industrial Base Experience

The maritime section of JA Inspire provided students with direct exposure to the industries shaping Rhode Island’s workforce future. Through interactive booths, demonstrations, and conversations with professionals, students explored career pathways across manufacturing, engineering, skilled trades, and maritime operations.

Industry and workforce partners engaged students by:

• Demonstrating tools and technologies used in modern manufacturing
• Sharing real-world career journeys and entry points into the industry
• Highlighting training pathways, certifications, and education options
• Connecting classroom learning to in-demand careers

By housing Maritime and Submarine Industrial Base partners together, students could see how companies and roles connect within a larger workforce ecosystem, from design and engineering to production and quality assurance.

Looking Ahead

For many students, JA Inspire serves as an early introduction to career pathways as they begin thinking about high school programs and future plans. With more than half of Rhode Island’s eighth graders participating, the event continues to expand awareness of high-growth industries and introduce students to opportunities across the state’s maritime and manufacturing sectors.

The strong collaboration between schools, industry, and community partners ensures students are gaining meaningful exposure to careers that are critical to Rhode Island’s economy and the broader national maritime workforce.