Learning from the Ground Up: Bristol-Plymouth Students Tour Construction of their New Technical School
What could be better for kids attending a technical school than to witness the construction of their new facility in real time? That’s the opportunity now available to students at Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School in Taunton, MA, where students have been invited to participate in a series of construction tours run by HMFH in partnership with the school and the project general contractor, Consigli.
Tour groups range in size from 24 to 40 students. Each tour focuses on a different building discipline, such as HVAC, metal fabrication, plumbing, and electrical, with HMFH team members and other guides walking students through the details of each discipline and how it will function in different spaces throughout the new facility.
By visiting Bristol-Plymouth during its construction, students have the unique opportunity to view the intricacies of a new project from the ground up, getting a rare, first-hand glimpse into the core facets of building science. For example, students can see the real-life implementation of the work relevant to their particular technical program, ask questions, and connect the dots between their academic curriculum and real-world professional applications. For many students, this experience can bridge the gap between theory and practice, giving them a direct link to better understand how their shop-based learning can translate to a real-world career. HMFH and Consigli take further steps to empower students by connecting them with companies working on the Bristol-Plymouth project to help jump-start post-graduation job searches. This is particularly helpful for the senior class who is poised to enter the workforce next summer.
The new Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School is scheduled to open to 1,434 students in 2026, bringing advanced facilities to grades 9 through 12. Notably, the school will offer 19 specialized technical programs designed to equip students with skills applicable to various career paths. The building is on track to achieve LEED Gold certification, with a projected Energy Use Intensity (pEUI) of 29 kBTU/sf/yr, underscoring its focus on sustainability and energy efficiency.
HMFH is passionate about cultivating the next generation of building industry professionals. In addition to facilitating internship and mentoring programs, we participate in multiple community programs to inform young people about the wide range of career paths available in our industry and connect them with the skills and opportunities to pursue them.
