Innovative workforce development initiative introduces students to maritime, submarine, and advanced manufacturing career pathways through early career-connected learning experiences.
York, PA – Junior Achievement of South Central PA is proud to announce the launch of the JA Maritime pilot program, bringing innovative early career-connected learning experiences focused on the maritime industry, submarine industrial base, and advanced manufacturing sectors to students throughout the region.
JA Maritime is designed to help students build early awareness of careers connected to STEM, skilled trades, transportation, and innovation through engaging, age-appropriate educational experiences and industry-connected learning opportunities.
Developed through the leadership of Junior Achievement of Southwest New England in Connecticut, JA Maritime was initially piloted in Connecticut and Rhode Island alongside partners connected to the nation’s maritime and submarine industrial base. The program was shaped through collaboration with industry leaders to help ensure students are introduced to real-world career pathways, workforce skills, and industries that play a vital role in America’s advanced manufacturing and national defense economy. Its early success helped establish a scalable model designed to support maritime career awareness and workforce development efforts nationwide.
Over the past two years, JA Maritime has engaged more than 20,000 students through classroom experiences, career fairs, workplace visits, industry speaker series, student innovation challenges, and the development of a first-of-its-kind K–12 maritime-focused curriculum.
As part of the pilot expansion effort, Junior Achievement of [Area Office] has begun implementing select elementary-level JA Maritime curriculum experiences designed to introduce students to the maritime industry and the wide range of careers that support it.
The pilot curriculum combines career exploration, hands-on activities, and real-world industry connections to help students understand how classroom learning connects to future opportunities. Experiences are designed to spark curiosity, encourage problem solving, and introduce students to industries that play a critical role in innovation, manufacturing, transportation, and national security.
Junior Achievement of South Central PA will work alongside educators, volunteers, and industry partners to bring JA Maritime experiences into classrooms during the upcoming school year. “JA Maritime was created to help students see the incredible opportunities available within the maritime and manufacturing sectors while building awareness of future workforce pathways at an early age,” said Jeremy Race, President & CEO of Junior Achievement of Southwest New England. “We are excited to see additional Junior Achievement areas begin piloting the curriculum and adapting the program within their local communities.”
For more information about JA Maritime, visit JA Maritime.
About Junior Achievement of South Central PA
Junior Achievement of South Central Pennsylvania (JASCPA) is a nonprofit organization that prepares students in kindergarten through 12th grade for success through hands-on programs in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. The organization serves a broad footprint of 14 counties across South Central Pennsylvania, partnering with schools and local employers to deliver real-world learning experiences. Each year, JA of South Central PA reaches over 113,000 students.
About JA Maritime
JA Maritime is a workforce development initiative that connects K–12 students to maritime, submarine, and advanced manufacturing career pathways through career exploration, industry engagement, experiential learning, and educational programming. Developed by Junior Achievement of Southwest New England and launched through a partnership with Junior Achievement USA, the initiative helps strengthen connections between education and industry while preparing students for future career opportunities.