When Governor McKee came to Bristol last summer to sign the Learn365 RI compact with Bristol Town Administrator Steve Contente, a small group of education supporters had already begun thinking about how the business community could partner with Mt. Hope High School to establish impactful career exploration opportunities for its curious students.

A few months later the Town of Bristol was awarded a RI grant that provided the initial funding for a movement called the Bristol Municipal Career and Technical Academy (BMCTA). Some of these “supporters” joined with representatives of Bristol town management, Rogers Free Library, Bristol-Warren Regional School District (BWRSD), Rogers Williams University, Herreshoff Marine Museum and some local businesses to form the BMCTA Advisory Board. Yours truly was soon appointed the “Academy” Coordinator. Our startup is now underway.

The planning for the Academy’s first year of operation is complete. Its primary goal is to sponsor numerous learning opportunities that expose participating students to career possibilities. This will be accomplished in partnerships with some member organizations of the BMCTA Board.

The first hands-on learning experience is being taught by Richard Feeny from Herreshoff. “Build Your Own Skateboard” is a 10 week Composites Training program held after school at one of the old Herreshoff factory buildings. Student enrollment for the initial session (grades 8-12) is going on now. The first class started Wednesday, Nov. 15 but there is room for a few more kids. These are after school classes running from 4:45-6:15 p.m.

For further information, contact me soon as possible at cevans@rogersfreelibrary.org

While there will be other hands-on programs in the pipeline during the Academy’s initial year, most of the programming will be either seminars, discussion groups or occasional workplace visitations. Some faculty from Roger Williams University are already developing a series of classes devoted to connecting the high school classes to interesting occupations. Professor Dan Brogan will be hosting the first series starting soon which will focus on the many types of Engineering careers and the education and experience it takes to be successful.

One of the most important initiatives of the Academy being rolled out now is a program called “Career Explorers”. Students will sign up for this program because they are thinking about their future and they want to be exposed to careers that may interest them. Recruitment of a core group of volunteer mentors from some of Bristol and Warren’s active or retired business owners and non-profit leaders is kicking off Monday, Nov. 27.

I want to talk with anyone who is interested in learning more about this. For the Career Explorers program be a success, the business community needs to be an active participant.

I appreciate your taking the time to read our introductory article. My goal is to share regular updates with you on the Academy and its programs. Stories fit to print about what the student’s are learning and the satisfaction our mentors are receiving will be shared with all.

If you have any questions about what you’ve read just email me (cevans@rogersfreelibrary.org) or visit our soon to be developed webpage at www.rogersfreelibrary.org/career-explorers

Craig Evans is the coordinator of the Bristol Municipal Career and Technical Academy