PHILADELPHIA, Pa.—The Philadelphia Phillies and NEST, the integrated facilities management company, are partnering again to present the second annual Skilled Trades All-Star Program, an immersive event designed to educate Philadelphia middle school students about career opportunities in the skilled trades.
The event, which will take place on June 3 at Citizens Bank Park, seeks to introduce students in grades four through eight to foundational skills in plumbing, electrical, masonry, and carpentry.
Approximately 50 students are expected from Mayfair School and will be led by their teacher, Evin Jarrett, a former contractor who now teaches the only middle school trades program in the district. “This is how we change the narrative,” Jarrett says. “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.”
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 itinerary includes a behind-the-scenes look at 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. Additionally, students will receive a guided tour of the stadium, a visit from the Phillie Phanatic, and lunch at Pass and Stow.
“The ballpark may be the backdrop, but the real focus is on building the future,” says 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.”
