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Castleton, VT — [May 7, 2025] — Due to overwhelming demand and incredible community support, the Bring Back the Trades Skills Expo at Vermont State University Castleton Campus is officially sold out, with over 2,200 students, parents, educators, and community members registered to attend on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
Presented by Title Sponsor F.W. Webb, and brought to the community by Bring Back the Trades (BBTT) and the Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR), this dynamic event has gained extraordinary traction across Vermont. Designed to connect young people and the public with real career opportunities in the trades, the Expo features hands-on exhibits, cutting-edge equipment demonstrations, and face-to-face interaction with professionals across dozens of industries.
“This level of interest confirms what we’ve always known—Vermonters are eager to explore careers in the trades,” said Shana Brunye, Executive Director of Bring Back the Trades. “We’re honored to work with so many partners to make this experience possible for thousands of attendees, and we’re incredibly thankful to F.W. Webb as our Title Sponsor, and all of our sponsors for stepping up to support workforce development in such a big way.”
Event Highlights Include:
- Nearly 70 local and regional businesses and organizations on-site representing construction, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, energy, healthcare, landscaping, manufacturing, government, and more.
- Giveaways and opportunity to speak with many vendors including Title Sponsor F.W. Webb Company. Platinum Sponsor Casella Waste (celebrating 50 years!), Gold Sponsor rk Miles Building Materials Supplier (celebrating 85 years!), and Silver Sponsor Rutland Regional Medical Center.
- $25,000 in scholarships to be awarded to Vermont students pursuing careers in the skilled trades
- Hands-on demonstrations, heavy equipment, and “touch-a-truck”-style interactive experiences
- Free lunch for pre-registered attendees and a day filled with giveaways, career planning tools, and job exploration resources
“The business response has been nothing short of incredible,” said Steve Turner, Founder and President of BBTT. “They’re not just showing up—they’re bringing tools, tech, and tradespeople who are excited to help the next generation find their path.”
The sold-out Skills Expo is the first trades-focused event BBTT has hosted in Vermont, and the event reinforces the organization’s mission to remove stigma, raise awareness, and open doors for careers in the trades.
To learn more or to support future events and scholarships, visit BBTT.org.
About Bring Back the Trades:
Bring Back the Trades is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the skilled trades as essential and rewarding career paths. Through community events, scholarships, and strategic partnerships, BBTT works to inspire and empower the next generation of tradespeople across the country.
About F.W. Webb
An industry pioneer since 1866, F.W. Webb Company is the largest wholesale distributor of plumbing, heating, HVAC, LP gas, refrigeration, pipe, valves and fittings in the Northeast. F.W. Webb has grown from a single location to more than 100 across nine states and proudly offers customers an extensive inventory of products and dedicated services that reach from underground to the rooftop. Covering 16 areas of expertise, specialty markets include process controls, water works, environmental services and more. F.W. Webb also operates more than 49 Frank Webb Home bath, kitchen and lighting retail showrooms.
About CEDRR
The Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) connects people and resources to ignite economic growth to build a strong Rutland County for everyone.
About Vermont State University
Vermont State University provides a high-quality, flexible, and affordable education for students seeking associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, certificates, and in-demand professional credentials. The university builds upon a history of public higher education in Vermont dating back to 1787. More information about Vermont State University can be found here: https://vermontstate.edu/