Phillies, NEST Host 2nd Skilled Trades Event for Youth

The Philadelphia Phillies and NEST, the pioneer of integrated facilities management, will once again join forces to present the second annual Skilled Trades All-Star Program—an immersive, hands-on event designed to educate and inspire Philadelphia middle school students about career opportunities in the skilled trades.

Taking place on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at Citizens Bank Park, the program will welcome approximately 50 students from Mayfair School. The event serves as a cornerstone experience for students enrolled in a one-of-a-kind trades’ curriculum led by their teacher, Evin Jarrett, a former contractor who now teaches the only middle school trades program in the district. Throughout the day, students will explore the inner workings of a major league stadium while engaging directly with professionals who operate and maintain it.

“The ballpark may be the backdrop, but the real focus is on building the future,” said Carolyn DiGiuseppe, General Manager of Facilities at Citizens Bank Park for Oak View Group. “These students are stepping into a world that is often hidden behind the scenes—but vital to everything around us. We’re showing them that these careers in the skilled trades are not just accessible, they’re essential and filled with opportunity.”

The agenda includes behind-the-scenes access to key operational areas within Citizens Bank Park, including the HVAC controls room, carpenter shop, mechanical room, and the grounds crew facility. Each station will feature interactive discussions led by the Phillies’ facilities team and trade foremen, offering students insight into the systems and teamwork required to maintain the ballpark’s infrastructure.

In addition to the technical exploration, students will receive a guided tour of the stadium, a visit from the Phillie Phanatic, and lunch at Pass and Stow to round out a day that blends education, mentorship, and inspiration.

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.

“Programs like this create momentum,” said Rob Almond, CEO of NEST. “By working with schools, communities, and forward-thinking partners like the Phillies, we’re helping to change perceptions and create pipelines. The trades offer purpose, pride, and prosperity – and those messages need to reach students early.”

Jarrett, whose own story from jobsite to classroom has drawn national recognition, created the Mayfair program to introduce students in grades 4 through 8 to foundational skills in plumbing, electrical, masonry, and carpentry. He incorporates hands-on learning, industry certifications, and student-led media like the Dope Student Podcast to make the trades feel tangible and empowering at an early age.

“This is how we change the narrative,” said Jarrett. “We’re not just exposing students to careers – they’re seeing themselves in these roles. When you give young people the tools, literally and figuratively, to shape their futures, they rise to the occasion.”

About NEST

NEST is the pioneer of the Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) industry in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1994, NEST delivers day-to-day tactical management of facilities, financial consulting, analytics, project management, and construction for major multi-site brands across North America. NEST provides 360° support 24 hours a day through one comprehensive facilities management solution that drives cost savings while maintaining an exceptional customer experience. To learn more about NEST, visit enterNEST.com or follow NEST on LinkedIn.