On Tuesday, June 3, 50 students enrolled in a trades curriculum at Mayfair School in Philadelphia took the field at Citizens Bank Park for a full day of hands-on learning at the Skilled Trades All-Star Program—touring key operational areas of the stadium and participating in interactive discussions led by the Phillies’ facilities team and trade professionals, including representatives from Oak View Group, facilities manager for the park.
“We wanted to get the word out there about why it’s okay to go to trade school —and who doesn’t love the Phillies around here?” said Rob Almond, CEO of NEST. “There is a massive dilemma with the deficit of skilled trade workforce out there amongst an even greater market of young individuals that may not even know about why the trades are important.”
Students received a behind-the-scenes look at the HVAC controls room, carpentry shop, mechanical systems and the grounds crew facility. They also learned firsthand how the ballpark’s infrastructure is maintained.
“It’s a unique perspective,” says Carolyn DiGiuseppe, General Manager of Facilities, OVG 360 at Citizens Bank Park. “It may not be as glamorous as something like marketing or sponsorships or actually being on the field, but our team is involved in every aspect of the game. Whether it’s the clubhouse, the fans or the new LED lights—we want to show them it’s cool to be a part of this.”
Alongside hands-on learning, students heard from guest speakers working in the trades who shared insight into their careers. Thanks to guidance from their teacher, Evin Jarrett—a former contractor who has received national recognition for his journey from jobsite to classroom—the students were able to draw from the deep bench of trade knowledge given to them and ask informed questions about possible career paths.
“They came so well-prepared with questions. To young people, when it comes to jobs in the trades like electricians, carpentry or plumbing—it’s not only that it’s a great job, but it’s a solid job that you can do well and support your family with,” says DiGiuseppe.
Whether it was seeing their future careers play out at Citizens Bank Park, having lunch with the Phillie Phanatic, playing a game of wiffle ball on the field or sitting in the bullpen, press box or media booth, the entire experience was a grand slam for the students.
For the Phillies and NEST, they’re just getting warmed up—and when it comes to continuing initiatives to get youth into the skilled trades lineup, “the sky’s the limit.”
“At Phillies, our team is always looking for different ways to connect with our community—and especially the youth,” says Jen Dornbusch, manager of sponsorship and suite sales at Philadelphia Phillies. “We have a lot of hands, obviously, in the baseball and softball side of things, but this was a really great opportunity to reach a different audience.”
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