Open to all high school sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recently graduated seniors, the Summer CTE Academy is a five-week exploratory summer program that offers students the opportunity to experience various career and technical education programs offered at Honolulu Community College. The high school age students met with Pearl Harbor naval shipyard officials and other organizations to learn about potential opportunities in the maritime industry, using virtual reality technology to replicate shipyard work. Academy students also had an opportunity to tour the USS Bowfin submarine and adjacent museum.

“There is a high demand for skilled workers at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and in Hawaii’s maritime industry, said Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum executive director Chuck Merkel. “We want to help develop local students for good paying jobs here that will allow them to stay home, rather than relocating elsewhere.”