For every five tradespeople who retire or leave the workforce, only two are replacing them.
Read that again.
For every five leaving, only two are coming in.
If that doesn’t concern you, it should.
This is more than a workforce issue — it’s becoming a national problem that affects our homes, our infrastructure, and our economy. These are highly trained professionals, and when they leave, they take decades of experience, knowledge, and mentorship with them.
When skilled workers leave faster than we can replace them, quality drops, costs rise, and delays increase.
And we’re already seeing it.
🏠 Home prices continue to rise.
🔨 Contractors are booked months in advance.
🚧 Infrastructure projects are delayed because there simply aren’t enough skilled workers to meet demand.
So how do we fix it?
We start by bringing trades education back into schools. Guidance counselors should present all pathways to success — college, trades, military service, and entrepreneurship. There is no one-size-fits-all future.
Parents: be proud of your children whether they choose college or the trades. Both paths matter.
Students: pick up a tool. Build something. Fix something. You may discover a passion and purpose you never expected.
Communities: advocate for welding labs, shop classes, and skilled trades programs to return to our schools. Support scholarships. Support training. Be part of the solution.
And if you want to help make a real impact, support BBTT through awareness campaigns, Skills Exposed, scholarships, grant programs for schools, educational lectures, and workforce development initiatives.
The future of the skilled trades affects all of us.
Now is the time to act.
#skilledtrades #tradeswomen #tradesmen #skilledworker
Stopped by @fwwebbco today to show off the new Bring Back the Trades truck, and it was a reminder of how much their support has meant to us from the very beginning.
F.W. Webb Company is our Title sponsor and has done far more than just sponsor Bring Back the Trades — they’ve believed in our mission, helped us grow, and stood behind what we’re building for the skilled trades community. Their support has helped us reach more people, get our message out on the road, and continue pushing to bring attention back to the importance of the trades.
Seeing our truck and trailer displayed proudly at their location really shows the partnership we’ve built together. Honestly, a big part of where we are today is because companies like F.W. Webb Company continue to invest in the future of the trades and support organizations like ours that are trying to make a difference.
The truck looked right at home sitting under the F.W. Webb sign today — and we’re grateful for everything they’ve done to help make Bring Back the Trades what it is today.
Every single day, I receive messages from people whose lives and perspectives have been changed by my TED Talk about Bring Back The Trades
Those messages mean more than words can explain because they remind my team and me that this mission is bigger than us. We wake up every day passionate about educating people on the incredible opportunities the trades provide, and seeing that impact firsthand is emotional, humbling, and deeply motivating.
We know we’re not just talking about careers — we’re helping restore pride, purpose, and opportunity for an entire generation. #skilledtrades #skilledworker #tradeswomen #tradeschool #tradeswoman
Bring Back the Trades
If you haven't gotten a ticket for the South Portland Skills Expo yet, this is your official final warning! Today is the last day to register.
We have an incredible lineup of hands-on exhibits, heavy equipment, and top-tier trade industries ready to connect with the next generation of the workforce. You do not want to miss this!
Grab your tickets (free with promo code BBTTSOCIAL) before registration closes tonight! 🛠️🏗️💥
ME 2026 BBTT Skills Expo Presented by F.W. Webb Company (Free entry promo code: BBTTSOCIAL)
#BringBackTheTrades #SkilledTrades #SouthPortlandSkillsExpo
Planning your future works up an appetite. 🍔⛽️
Huge thanks to the Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges for sponsoring lunch at our South Portland Expo! Food is fuel, and making sure our attendees are fed and ready to engage is a huge part of the experience.
We appreciate their partnership!
🔗 Join us on May 19: /event/so-portland-me-skills-expo-2026/
Bring Back the Trades' Skills Expo is less than a week away, and we’ll be there!
On Tuesday, May 19 team members will be volunteering at Southern Maine Community College in South Portland to connect with students, educators, and community members exploring careers in the skilled trades.
The Bring Back the Trades nonprofit raises awareness, provides resources, and builds connections that bridge education and the workforce - skills that are essential for building strong communities. For more information: bringbackthetrades.org/event/so-portland-me-skills-expo-2026/
#BringBackTheTrades #SkilledTrades #WorkforceDevelopment #LighthouseCreditUnion #Maine
*New Textile Tool Program Opportunity!*
When Steve Turner started Bring Back the Trades, he started with the grit he learned through decades of working as a small business upholsterer. His experience in the industry shaped his understanding of what "skilled labor" actually looks like—and how difficult it is to recruit for.
Now, he’s bringing that journey full circle in Boston.
We're excited to announced that BBTT is officially partnering with @designerdraperiesofboston to launch a Textile Tool Program.
While the trades conversation often focuses on construction or automotive, this pilot program is shining a light on the multi-billion dollar textile industry. We’re putting two commercial-grade industrial sewing machines directly into a Boston-area high school, paired with a semester of direct mentorship from Designer Draperies of Boston CEO Julie Murphy.
This program follows the success of BBTT’s partnership with Milwaukee Tool and a recent high-engagement event at Gillette Stadium where students showed an overwhelming interest in precision textile work.
Program Details & Timeline:
Eligibility: Boston-area public high schools
Required: A dedicated space and an instructor interested in teaching industrial sewing
Bring Back the Trades Skills Expo at @smccmaine is almost here!
Learn about trade careers and skills from industry professionals at this FREE, hands-on vent. Register at the link in our bio with promo code WEBSITE.
Not your average 9-to-5. ⚓️🏗️
@gd_bathironworks sent us this look at what it’s like to build "The Best Ships in the World." If you’ve ever wanted to be part of a Maine legacy, you need to come talk to them.
🎟️ FREE Tickets (Code: BBTTSOCIAL): /event/so-portland-me-skills-expo-2026/
📍 Southern Maine Community College | May 19 | 9:00 AM
Most people just see the truck. They don’t see the career. 🚛
We are beyond grateful to have @casellawaste as a Platinum Sponsor for our South Portland Expo. These guys are a massive part of our community, and their support is a huge reason we can bring this event to Maine for the first time. From heavy equipment mechanics to environmental tech, they offer careers that actually mean something.
Come meet the team and see what they’re all about!
🎟️ Tickets are FREE with code: BBTTSOCIAL
🔗 Register here: /e/general-admission-ticket-bbtt-skills-expo-presented-by-fw-webb-at-smcc-tickets-1978926100237
📍 Southern Maine Community College | May 19 | 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM
I had a great time telling my story of @bringbackthetrades beginning. A huge thank you to @tedxportsmouth for giving me this amazing opportunity! Thank you all for supporting me! @musichallnh
It was such an incredible and humbling honor to have so many people come up to me after my TEDx talk, many with tears in their eyes, sharing how deeply the message resonated with them. Almost everyone had a personal story — about themselves, their parents, their children, or loved ones in the trades — and hearing those experiences reminded me exactly why this conversation matters so much. Those moments, those connections, and the vulnerability people shared with me are something I will carry with me forever.
