RI Experiential Learning Navigator

Junior Achievement of Rhode Island and RIEXL had a blast at the Rhode Island Association for Career and Technical Education!

Our team had the chance to present all the (FREE) resources we make available to Rhode Island educators. Middle School educators may feel career-based learning is only for the older grades, so our presentation described how we curate experiences for specific age groups. For example, high schoolers might attend a workshop about operating machinery, where middle schoolers could instead invite a professional as a class speaker. Or, educators could sign up for JA Inspire (jainspireri.org/educators/request), Rhode Island's premiere Career Fair for eighth graders.

To find all that RIEXL has to offer, check out www.RIEXL.org.

RIEXL is funded by the Governor's Workforce Board and powered by Junior Achievement of Rhode Island.

Thanks for having us, RIASP!

The Junior Achievement of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Experiential Learning Navigator (RIEXL) teams were thrilled to attend the Rhode Island Association of School Principals Annual Summer Summit! This year's theme was 'Empowering Our Leaders, Strengthening Our Schools', with keynote remarks delivered by Dr Miguel Cardona, Former United States Secretary of Education.

In between breakout sessions, our team's table was visited by principals from across the state. We were happy to hand out details for JA Inspire in December 2026- the only statewide career fair for 8th graders. (If you have a class you’d like to sign up, learn more at www.jainspireri.org/educators). Meanwhile, the RIEXL team explained all the resources we have available throughout the rest of year. RIEXL offers Workplace Tours, Class Speakers, Mentorships, and more! It’s a free one-stop-shop to give any lesson plan real-world relevance. All that and more is available here: https://www.riexl.org/opportunities.

If you'd like to follow up with any of our team, don't hesitate to reach out!

Ross Bouchard, Experiential Learning Program Manager, [email protected]
Kerry O'Hara, Educator Relations Program Manager, [email protected]
Justine Caccia, JA Inspire Manager, [email protected]

RIEXL is sponsored by the Governor's Workforce Board and powered by Junior Achievement of Rhode Island.

Are you one of those educators who set aside some summertime to plan your fall curriculum? RIEXL.org is ready to help out!

Planning the perfect field trip *used to* involve lots of unanswered inquiries and uninspired programming. But with RIEXL, educators can cut through the noise. Our site empowers educators to connect directly with local businesses ‘ready willing and able’ to offer quality educational insight.

Check out all the institutions and employers we can connect your students with at www.RIEXL.org!

June is RIEXL’s Construction & Manufacturing Month!

We partnered with Nordson to offer a Workplace Tour of their East Providence facility on our site. The partnership was a huge success! Students got a ‘behind the scenes’ look at what full-time manufacturing actually looks like, before having to graduate! This access empowers students to see this work as achievable for them too.

If you know a Rhode Island student looking to ‘get their hands dirty’ with experiential / career-based learning, send them to https://www.riexl.org/opportunitiesgallery!

RIEXL is dedicating June to highlighting our Construction & Manufacturing Opportunities! Careers in these fields benefit from strong job security, growth potential, and on-the-job training.

If you know a Rhode Island student interested in these sectors, make sure they know about www.RIEXL.org.

Here’s a few to get started:

- YouthBuild Preparatory Academy, Afterschool Program: https://www.riexl.org/opportunitiesdatabase/youthbuild-preparatory-academy

- Building Futures, Career Panel: https://www.riexl.org/opportunitiesdatabase/trades-career-panel

- Response Technologies, Workplace Tour: https://www.riexl.org/opportunitiesdatabase/trades-career-panel

- FabNewport, Internship: https://www.riexl.org/opportunitiesdatabase/fab-newport

- JARC, CNC/Welding Trainee: https://www.riexl.org/opportunitiesdatabase/cnc%2Fwelding-trainee

- Toray, Mock Interview: https://www.riexl.org/opportunitiesdatabase/cnc%2Fwelding-trainee

- We Make RI, Internship: https://www.riexl.org/opportunitiesdatabase/we-make-ri%E2%80%99s-manufacturing-exploration-program

Powered by Junior Achievement of Rhode Island

Sponsored by the Rhode Island Governor’s Workforce Board

Dunder Mifflin isn't on RIEXL.org, but Providence Public Library is! Educators can use RIEXL to show their students all the different ways to ‘make paper’ through career readiness and experiential learning.


Sponsored by the Governor’s Workforce Board

Powered by Junior Achievement of Rhode Island

Visit www.RIEXL.org to learn more!

Summer programs can fill up fast! If you know a Rhode Islander aged 12 – 24, make sure they know about Real Skills for Youth 2026 Programs List (now available on www.riexl.org)!

While youth programming often comes with a cost, a majority of these programs are actually paid internships. That’s why we’re sharing this early. We want to make sure Rhode Island’s students have ample opportunity to get involved. With 27 RSFY opportunities added to the RIEXL site, there’s something for everyone! Make sure you share this post with the youths in your life- before they run out!

Here’s a few to get started:

DownCity Design: www.riexl.org/opportunitiesdatabase/downcity-design

Rhode Island Marine Trades Association: www.riexl.org/opportunitiesdatabase/rhode-island-marine-trade-association

Wildlife Rehabilitators Association of Rhode Island: www.riexl.org/opportunitiesdatabase/wildlife-clinic-of-rhode-island

Southside Community Land Trust: www.riexl.org/opportunitiesdatabase/southside-community-land-trust

New England Institute of Technology: www.riexl.org/opportunitiesdatabase/new-england-institute-of-technology


Please note that each opportunity serves specific age groups.



Powered by Junior Achievement of Rhode Island

Sponsored by the Rhode Island Governor’s Workforce Board

Ever wonder how to get students excited about careers in law and public service?

February is Legal Industry Month at RIEXL — and we’re spotlighting opportunities that give students real-world exposure to the courtroom, public safety, and more.

📍Tour a local courthouse
👮 Shadow local police departments
💼 Meet legal professionals at Troutman Pepper Locke
👯 Join peer-led initiatives like Bring-a-Buddy

These opportunities aren’t just career exposure — they’re confidence-builders, resume-boosters, and moments of clarity for students thinking about their futures.

🔗 Explore all current opportunities:
https://www.riexl.org/opportunitiesdatabase/state-house-tourshttps://www.riexl.org/opportunitiesdatabase/providence-police-department-tour[https://www.riexl.org/opportunitiesdatabase/pawtucket-police-department’s-explorers-program](https://www.riexl.org/opportunitiesdatabase/pawtucket-police-department%E2%80%99s-explorers-program)https://www.riexl.org/opportunitiesdatabase/troutman-pepper-lockehttps://www.riexl.org/opportunitiesdatabase/bring-a-buddy

Powered by Junior Achievement of Rhode Island
Sponsored by the Rhode Island Governor’s Workforce Board

Last Thursday, RIEXL joined Providence Business News for the 2026 Workforce Development Summit.

The RIEXL team was proud to support featured panelist Katharine Amaral, Director of Programs and Community Partnerships for Junior Achievement of Rhode Island.

Katharine was joined by Arrin Clemons (Workforce Manager, Polaris MEP), Rosemary Costigan (President, Community College of Rhode Island), Dr. John Olerio (Executive Director, Office of Strategic Initiatives for University of Rhode Island), Donna Re*****on (Senior Director of Experiential Education and Career Services, Johnson & Wales University), and Dr. Henry Young (Assistant Provost, New England Institute of Technology). It was great to see the Governor’s Workforce Board there too!

The panel discussed best practices for talent pipelines, partnerships between businesses and educational institutions, ways to reach K-12 students, and policy initiatives shaping the future of work in Rhode Island. Katharine let everybody know about all the experiential learning opportunities available at www.riexl.org!

Thank you to Providence Business News for having us!



RIEXL is powered by Junior Achievement of Rhode Island & Sponsored by the Rhode Island Governor’s Workforce Board