Bring Back the Trades (BBTT), a nonprofit that empowers the next generation
of skilled tradespeople, is celebrating a milestone moment: its first-ever Massachusetts Skills Expo, held at
Gillette Stadium in Foxborough and presented by F.W. Webb Company.
On Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, more than 3,000 attendees filled the stadium concourse to explore 100
interactive exhibits that brought the trades to life — turning one of New England’s most iconic venues into a
hands-on celebration of opportunity, connection, and craftsmanship.
“Seeing Gillette Stadium filled with students, families, and professionals all there to celebrate the trades was
unforgettable,” said Shana Brunye, Chief Operations Officer of Bring Back the Trades. “This event showed that
the trades aren’t a fallback, they’re a foundation. They build communities, careers, and confidence. That’s what
this movement is all about.”
Hands-On Learning, Real-World Inspiration
From welding simulators and robotics to live construction builds, plumbing demos, and aviation displays, the
Gillette Skills Expo gave attendees a true taste of the trades. Students met the people behind the work — those
who build, fix, wire, weld, and power the world around us — and discovered how those careers can lead to
stability, purpose, and pride.
The main stage featured Aaron Witt (BuildWitt), Demi Knight Clark (She Built This City), and Leon Garrett
(Kenco Plumbing & Drains), with a guest appearance from two-time champion and New England Patriots alum
Rob Ninkovich, who has a family history tied to iron working.
During the event, BBTT also awarded $25,000 broken down into 10 scholarships granted to students pursuing
careers in fields like plumbing, automotive, aviation, and construction management.
“I grew up around the trades — my grandfather’s in the trades, my friends are in the trades,” said Nicolas Eaton,
a scholarship recipient from Rhode Island studying plumbing. “It just feels right for me. The trades are the way
to go.”
Why It Matters
At the heart of the Expo’s success was collaboration. Local and national organizations — including F.W. Webb
Company, Casella Waste Systems, Eastern Propane & Oil, Kenco Plumbing & Drains, Lighthouse Credit
Union, Noso Labs, and Optiline Enterprises — and dozens of vocational programs joined forces to show what
happens when education and industry come together to build the future workforce.
“This event was proof of what can happen when businesses and educators work side by side to inspire the
next generation,” said Steve Turner, founder and CEO of Bring Back the Trades. “Every
demo, every conversation, every connection at Gillette helped someone see what’s possible — and that’s
exactly what we set out to do.”
“At F.W. Webb, we believe the skilled trades are the backbone of every community,” added Sean Davis, vice president of marketing at F.W. Webb Company. “Partnering with Bring Back the Trades lets us connect directly
with students and families — to show that a career in the trades can offer not just great pay, but pride, purpose,
and lasting opportunity.”
Bring Back the Trades extends its gratitude to Title Sponsor F.W. Webb Company, Platinum Sponsors Casella
Waste Systems, Eastern Propane & Oil, Kenco Plumbing & Drains, Lighthouse Credit Union, Noso Labs, and
Optiline Enterprises, and every school, company, and partner who helped make this landmark event possible.
Looking Ahead
Bring Back the Trades will continue delivering skills expos across New England in 2026 creating more
opportunities for students and employers to connect through hands-on learning and workforce development.
“This is just the beginning,” Turner said. “Our goal is to keep this momentum going, to make sure students in
every state see that the trades aren’t just jobs, they’re careers worth celebrating.”
Event Highlights
- First Skills Expo in Massachusetts
- Largest venue to date for Bring Back the Trades
- Over 3,000 attendees
- 100 interactive exhibits highlighting skilled trades careers
- Featured speakers / guests: Aaron Witt, Demi Knight Clark, Leon Garrett, and Rob Ninkovich
- Ten scholarships awarded to emerging trades students ($25,000 total)
