Press Release from Westbrook Public Schools

On Feb. 15, Westbrook High School (WHS) hosted a regional event for high school seniors from WHS and six area school districts. Each year, General Dynamics Electric Boat partners with Connecticut and Rhode Island technical schools to provide high school seniors with an opportunity to apply to and interview with representatives from Electric Boat (EB) for a potential job offer in one of six trade areas: welding, ship-fitting, electrical, pipe-fitting, carpentry, design, and machining.

The event, known as General Dynamics Electric Boat Application Day, is the first of its kind for high school students in Connecticut who attend traditional, comprehensive high schools and not technical trade high schools.

Twenty-nine school students from seven area school districts representing 10 Connecticut towns submitted applications, secured interviews, and all received formal offers of employment to begin after graduation this spring. Some students also received multiple offers of employment for more than one trade, increasing opportunities and choices as students consider their post-secondary options. In addition to students from WHS, students from the following area schools participated in the event: Coginchaug High School (Region 13-Durham and Middlefield), Daniel Hand High School (Madison), East Lyme High School, The Morgan School (Clinton), Old Saybrook High School, and Valley Regional High School (Region 4-Chester, Deep River, and Essex).

William Barber, the youth education outreach lead for General Dynamic Electric Boat, described the partnership and the journey that led to this regional school district event.

“Electric Boat has a wide range of opportunities in a variety of critical skill sets and trades at the shipyard in Groton. The outreach program was in its early stages of development in Connecticut just a few years ago as it began the partnership with Westbrook Public Schools,” Barber said. “Now in its third year of partnership with Westbrook Public Schools, this regional event represents the beginning of a new model of outreach to traditional comprehensive high schools in Connecticut.”

Superintendent of Westbrook Public Schools, Dr. Kristina Martineau, shared her thoughts on how the partnership with Electric Boat is beneficial for students.

“Westbrook Public Schools has been working closely with Electric Boat over the last few years to increase awareness of manufacturing and trade careers in our region and to provide as many opportunities as possible to expand access for students to a wide variety of experiences as they begin to think about future careers and post-secondary options,” Martineau said. “Electric Boat has been an incredible partner and support for our school community, providing guidance, as well as financial assistance to support the development of an expanded welding program at the high school, as well as educational opportunities at the middle school in marine robotics, design, engineering, and trade skills.”

“Electric Boat continues to offer educational experiences in all three schools, including our elementary school, to increase awareness of careers in critical trades in Connecticut,” Martineau continued. “Westbrook Public Schools is proud to be recognized as an Electric Boat K-12 partner school district. We look forward to our continued partnership with Electric Boat and future regional opportunities of this kind for our students, community, and region.”

WHS Principal Tara Winch shared her excitement about hosting the first-ever Electric Boat Application Day event at the high school.

"WHS is privileged to be hosting the first regional EB Application Day in Connecticut for comprehensive high schools,” Winch said. “Our partnership with EB has afforded WHS students new experiences with The Boat for Next Gen Program and additional career opportunities in the workforce."

WHS Career Pathways Coordinator Leslie Carson has worked closely with the Electric Boat Workforce Development Youth Programs for more than two years to expand the school’s business and industry partnerships and to provide opportunities for Westbrook students to explore and prepare for future careers. The partnership with Electric Boat brings opportunities for Westbrook students to participate in paid summer internships after their junior years, participate in hands-on learning opportunities through The Boat Next Gen program, prepare for careers with Electric Boat’s 300-plus suppliers in Connecticut, and participate in a full range of expanded metals and welding courses leading to certification with the American Welding Society.