ORANGE PARK – When it was time for students to eat lunch at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida Summer Program at Orange Park High, several had to be told two or three times to break away from their virtual station.

So many were emersed in Monday’s stop by the WareWorks Skilled Trades Institute, they needed extra coaxing to put down their joysticks for a break and free meal.

According to Be Pro Be Proud, their Mobile Learning Lab used artificial intelligence to help students explore careers that will continue to rely on human skill, craftsmanship and hands-on expertise. Through an interactive mobile learning lab, students experienced firsthand what it takes to build careers in high-demand skilled trades that power communities every day.

“They don't want to leave because it sparked their interest,” said Director Antrinell Lamar. “The joy of it is when they leave the truck and they always write back, ‘Can you come back? You just changed my life because I was about to drop out of school, and you just showed me another avenue. If I finish school, I can obtain this and some type of money, and that's what I need to save my family.”

Summer Program students got a taste of what it’s like to drive a tractor trailer, heavy equipment, crane or a tractor, work as an electric company lineman, weld or be a plumber.

“We're not kicking against four-year universities or anything like that. We actually encourage four universities,” Lamar said. “We just throw them another avenue to make money without the student debt.

“If you're attending a skill trade, nobody can ever take it from you. You won't owe anybody, and you can always have a job. AI, right now, is not concerned with the skill trades.”

The Mobile Learning Lab moves from school to school throughout the Southeast, and it has become very popular, especially for those whose future doesn’t include college. After all, AI can’t repair a broken power line or dig a ditch.

“We're doing two of our eight clubs in Clay County to show this,” said Lorelei Stephens, Vice President of Marketing and Special Projects for the Boys and Girls Clubs. “This is our pilot program. This is us testing it out with the community and with kids to see how excited kids can be.”

The mobile lab also stopped at Keystone Heights Junior/Senior High on Tuesday, July 14.

“They’re trying to build a house with AI, but plumbing, HVAC, commercial truck driving is not going anywhere,” Lamar said.

Students used VR headsets to create realistic experiences like repairing powerlines or fixing a busted waterpipe. The mobile lab also used three screens and a simulator to create a realistic view for those considering a Commercial Driver’s License.

“We’re trying to build excitement for the kids,” Stephens said. “These jobs are important.”