W. L. French Excavating Signs on as Platinum Sponsor of 2026 Bring Back the Trades MA Skills Expo, Building New England’s Next Generation of Skilled Trades Talent
Event connects 3,000 students and job seekers with hands-on careers as demand for skilled trades grows across the region
RYE, NH — September 2026 — With skilled trades careers offering some of the strongest and most stable opportunities in New England, W. L. French Excavating Corporation has signed on as a Platinum Sponsor of the 2026 Bring Back the Trades Massachusetts Skills Expo, to help students see a clear path into the trades industry. The region is projected to need nearly 42,000 new tradespeople by 2030, representing over $11 billion in economic opportunity for New England if that talent pipeline is built out.
The Expo, presented by F.W. Webb Company, takes place October 29 at the Royal Plaza Trade Center in Marlborough, MA, and is expected to draw 3,000 students and job seekers. Exhibitors span construction, heavy equipment, manufacturing, health care, and more, with hands-on demonstrations, equipment on the floor, and direct conversations between attendees and local employers.
As a Platinum Sponsor, W. L. French Excavating Corporation will have a double booth presence, bring equipment on site, and sponsor two scholarships for local area students pursuing the trades.
“A lot of kids go through school without ever being shown this path exists, let alone what it looks like day to day,” said Steve Turner, founder and chief executive officer of Bring Back the Trades. “That’s the gap we’re trying to close. When a company like W. L. French shows up at the Expo, it’s not just a sponsorship, it’s a chance for a student to stand next to the equipment, ask questions, and picture themselves doing this work. That kind of exposure changes what people think is possible for their own future.”
“Mentorship has always been a huge part of the trades — our industry is built on people sharing their knowledge and experience with the next generation, and we see this Expo as an extension of that tradition,” said Lisa Kelley, principal at W. L. French Excavating Corporation. “It gives us the opportunity to reach even more young people and help them see that the trades can offer fulfilling, promising careers. If we can inspire even one young person to see a future for themselves in the trades, that’s what this is all about.”
Tickets to the MA Skills Expo are free with promo code MEDIA on Eventbrite. Businesses interested in exhibiting are still being accepted; for exhibitor or sponsorship information, contact [email protected].
About Bring Back the Trades
Bring Back the Trades is a non-profit organization committed to providing scholarships and equipment to students pursuing careers in the skilled trades. By partnering with industry leaders, BBTT works to change the public perception of trade careers and ensure the next generation of American craftspeople has the resources to succeed. BBTT.org. Research outlining the $325 billion workforce gap: https://bringbackthetrades.org/research
About W. L. French Excavating Corporation
Founded in 1972, W. L. French Excavating Corporation is a second-generation, family-owned site contractor and soil management firm headquartered in North Billerica, Massachusetts. For more than five decades, W. L. French has helped build and shape communities throughout New England, providing comprehensive site development, mass excavation, soil management, environmental remediation, trucking, and related services.
Built on a foundation of hard work, integrity and a commitment to its people, W. L. French has grown to become one of the region’s leading specialty contractors while remaining true to its roots as a family business. In 2025, W. L. French was named ENR New England’s Specialty Contractor of the Year, recognizing the company’s continued growth, project excellence, and impact across the region.
W. L. French is also committed to supporting the future of the construction industry through workforce development, mentorship and initiatives that introduce the next generation to the opportunities available in the skilled trades.
