LONDONDERRY, N.H. — Bring Back the Trades (BBTT), a nonprofit dedicated to bridging the skilled trades gap, announced that it has officially sold out of exhibitor space for its upcoming Londonderry Skills Expo.
The public event returns to Londonderry High School on Saturday, April 18. The sell-out reflects a surge in industry engagement, with more than 75 regional employers, educational institutions, and community partners confirmed to provide hands-on demonstrations for students and families.
Title Sponsor F.W. Webb Company leads a diverse roster of participants aiming to introduce the next generation to careers in HVAC, construction, manufacturing, aviation, and more.
“The fact that we’ve reached capacity for exhibitors well in advance of the event shows just how committed our local industries are to reaching the next generation,” said Steve Turner, Founder and CEO of Bring Back the Trades.
“Last year was our first time in Londonderry, and with the support of our co-hosts at Londonderry High School, the Londonderry Police Department, and the Rotary Clubs of Londonderry and Windham, we’re excited to yet again create a space where students can pick up tools and see a future for themselves.”
The April 18 expo is free and open to the public. No tickets are required. Open to all ages but recommended for attendees ages 10 and up, the event allows visitors to explore the trades, see equipment displays up close, learn about BBTT scholarship opportunities, and speak directly with hiring managers and trade educators.
“I like to call it Touch a Truck for grown-ups,” said Shana Brunye, Chief Operating Officer of Bring Back the Trades. “It helps people to understand the excitement and joy connected with the trades. That excitement doesn’t go away, we take it away as a society. We’re here to bring it back.”
Confirmed partners and exhibitors for the Londonderry event include:
The Host Team: Londonderry High School, Londonderry Police Department, and the Rotary Club of Londonderry.
Title Sponsor: F.W. Webb Company (Plumbing, Heating, HVAC & Industrial Supplies).
Platinum Sponsors: Casella Waste Systems, Eastern Propane and Oil, General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, Leddy Group & Work Opportunities Unlimited, Lighthouse Credit Union, M&T Bank, New Hampshire Army National Guard, Pike Industries, Prototek Digital Manufacturing, and WIN Waste Innovations.
Community Champions: Community College System of New Hampshire, Dead River Company, MEI Industrial Solutions, PROCON, River Birch Builders, and the United States Air Force.
Friends of the Trades: Admix Inc., Grappone Automotive Group, Interstate Electrical Services Corporation (IESC), Keene State College Precision Optics, Metro Walls Inc., Minuteman Press – Londonderry, NorthPoint Construction Management, Oliver Mechanical Inc, Optiline Enterprises, Palmer Gas & Oil, Paul the Plumber, and St. Mary’s Bank.
The expo will also feature an array of hands-on demonstrations from organizations including IBEW Local 490 JATC, Maine Drilling & Blasting, and the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire.
Also, Granite State Glass, National Aviation Academy, Manchester School of Technology, PCI Pharma Services, and many others representing fields from bio-fabrication to commercial wood framing.
While exhibitor booths are no longer available for the Londonderry event, BBTT is still accepting registrations for its inaugural Maine Skills Expo at Southern Maine Community College in South Portland in May.
For more information or to learn about scholarship opportunities, visit BBTT.org.