Virtual reality and leading experts provide insight into career paths
by Bonnie Bain
The good folks at Cape and Islands Self-Reliance Corporation are the gift that keeps giving! SAFE’s partnership with Executive Director Megan Amsler ensured the attendance of nearly two dozen high school students at this year’s Offshore Wind Power Conference & Exhibit held in Boston in early October. Salem High Career & Technical Education (CTE) Director Mario Sousa and Marine and Automotive Instructor Jim Rowley accompanied the students.
In total, 21 students from Salem High CTE joined Building Pathways South pre-apprenticeship training participants in touring the exhibit halls with Megan Amsler. The students heard from experts in the field and experienced virtual reality training tools. Mario Sousa and Jim Rowley, our high school leaders in developing career pathways for offshore wind, stepped away to attend bits of the conference to learn more about how they might support their students.
The Offshore Wind Power Conference hosted by American Clean Power is a leading conference in the industry. It provides opportunities for connection and engagement, but is often exclusive to high-level industry leaders. This exposure to the industry for Salem high students and CTE leaders was a rare opportunity, since the conference moves around to different states.
Deep gratitude to Mario Sousa for so quickly supporting students in signing up for this conference and making the trek over to Boston — we hear they had a great time!
Bonnie Bain is SAFE’s offshore wind program manager.