Chariho Students Get Hands-On Look at Industrial Automation Careers
Last Updated: 2026-05-29T04:59:51.659-04:00
In Westerly, Rhode Island, the Chariho Career and Technical Center's Electrical Technology class took a field trip to ProSystems Integration, a local automation company. The visit, which took place on Wednesday, was intended to expose students to career opportunities in the industrial automation sector.
The tour was led by Jesse Brunelle, a Chariho alumnus and an engineer at ProSystems, and his father, John Brunelle, the company's president and owner. They guided the students through the facility, explaining the functions of various machines and equipment. The students learned about the customer-driven nature of the industry and saw examples of projects ranging from medical tubing equipment to control systems for the Mystic River Bascule Bridge.
Jesse Brunelle, who graduated from the program two years ago, noted that his own education had focused primarily on residential and commercial electrical work. He organized the field trip to introduce students to the "whole world of the electrical industry" that they might not otherwise see. "There's plenty of career opportunities in this industry as well that aren't seen too often," he said.
John Brunelle emphasized the rapid technological changes in the field, with controls technology evolving every three to five years. "Everybody wants to hire young talent because they know how to use computers and tablets," he said.
Ryan Northup, the instructor for the Electrical Technology class, highlighted the value of such real-world experiences. "It gives them some foreground of what we're doing in class and a perfect real-world application," he said. He also noted the inspirational aspect of the visit, suggesting that it might spark a student's interest in pursuing a career in industrial automation.
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