Local Students to Gain Hands-On Experience at Citizens Bank Park on April 24 and August 1 Philadelphia—The Philadelphia Phillies and NEST, the pioneer of integrated facilities management, are joining forces to launch the Skilled Trades All-Star Program, a dynamic initiative aimed at guiding Philadelphia-area youth towards promising careers in the skilled trades. The initiative kicks Read more
integrated facilities management
Local Students to Gain Hands-On Experience at Citizens Bank Park on April 24 and August 1
Philadelphia—The Philadelphia Phillies and NEST, the pioneer of integrated facilities management, are joining forces to launch the Skilled Trades All-Star Program, a dynamic initiative aimed at guiding Philadelphia-area youth towards promising careers in the skilled trades. The initiative kicks off with a series of educational events at Citizens Bank Park this season.
On April 24, students from Mercy Career & Technical High School will inaugurate the program. Subsequent events are scheduled for Aug. 1, featuring participants from MyWIC, an all-girls construction camp. These future industry professionals will learn the intricacies of stadium operations, covering aspects from HVAC and groundskeeping to carpentry and maintenance.
“Partnering with NEST allows us to inspire future generations right here at the home of the Phillies,” said Carolyn DiGiuseppe, General Manager of Facility Services at Citizens Bank Park for Oak View Group (OVG). “The Skilled Trades All-Star Program isn’t just about a single day at the ballpark; it’s about sparking a lifelong interest in the trades that build and sustain our communities. This is a great opportunity for students to go behind the scenes and experience firsthand the impact of the building trades on the day-to-day operation of the ballpark.
Based in South Jersey, NEST helped establish the Skilled Trades Advisory Council (STAC) in 2023, uniting industry experts across the country to champion skilled trades as viable and rewarding career choices. The Skilled Trades All-Star Program is a direct extension of STAC’s mission, seeking to illuminate the path for youth toward these essential roles.
“Rejuvenating the skilled trades has been a priority for us at NEST and the founding members of the Skilled Trades Advisory Council, and we are making incredible progress,” said Rob Almond, CEO of NEST. “The Phillies share our passion for the trades and will play a key role in helping shed light on these amazing career opportunities for the next generation.”
The urgency for such programs is underscored by a report from Associated Builders and Contractors, which indicates the construction industry needs to hire an additional 500,000 workers in 2024 alone to meet labor demands.
NEST, the pioneers of integrated facilities management, has teamed up with leaders across the construction, retail, and skilled trades industries to create the Skilled Trades Advisory Council (STAC). Aimed to combat the crisis facing skilled labor in the U.S. and Canada, STAC’s founding advisors will leverage their resources, knowledge, and network to elevate the skilled trades Read more
NEST, the pioneers of integrated facilities management, has teamed up with leaders across the construction, retail, and skilled trades industries to create the Skilled Trades Advisory Council (STAC). Aimed to combat the crisis facing skilled labor in the U.S. and Canada, STAC’s founding advisors will leverage their resources, knowledge, and network to elevate the skilled trades as high-paying, honorable, and often heroic career paths, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, janitorial, construction, and other essential jobs that require a rejuvenated workforce.
Founding STAC advisors include:
- Rob Almond, CEO of NEST
- Sara Angus, Director of Construction, Starbucks
- Julie Starzynski, Director of Construction & Design, Floor & Decor
- Andrew Brown, Founder and CEO of Toolfetch
- Sarah Hammond, Owner and President of Atlas and Treasurer of Women in HVAC
- Kam Washington, Owner of PMA Construction
- Kate Cinnamo, Executive Director of Explore the Trades
- Mónica Muñoz, Senior Director of Capital Programs at DaVita Kidney Care
- Mary Gaffney, President of NAWIC Philadelphia Foundation and GEM Mechanical Services
“I’m encouraged that so many others share my passion for growing the trades and ending the stigma that surrounds jobs in the industry,” said Almond, who spearheaded the initiative. “STAC is a way for many of us to work together and find ways to encourage youth to consider a career in the skilled trades. There are many viable, lucrative, and creative opportunities to explore.”
According to online recruiting platform Handshake, the application rate for young people seeking technical jobs dropped by 49% in 2022 compared to 2020 (source). Staffing firm PeopleReady estimate 40% of the 12 million people in the skilled trades workforce are over the age of 45, with nearly half of those workers over the age of 55 (source).
Associated Builders and Contractors reported that the construction industry will need to attract an estimated 546,000 additional workers on top of the normal pace of hiring in 2023 to meet the demand for labor (source).
“The U.S. and Canadian workforces are struggling to fill a massive gap in the skilled trades, and we need to unite as an industry to reverse the trend,” added Almond, who is based in the Philadelphia area. “This group of founding advisors shares that passion across many sectors that make up the industry.”
To learn more about the Skilled Trades Advisory Council, follow STAC on LinkedIn or the platform formerly known as Twitter.