Students will explore the inner workings of a major league stadium while engaging directly with the professionals who operate and maintain it.

“The ballpark may be the backdrop, but the real focus is on building the future,” Carolyn DiGiuseppe, general manager of facilities at Citizens Bank Park for the Oak View Group, said in a press release. “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.”

The agenda includes behind-the-scenes visits to key operational areas within Citizens Bank Park, including the HVAC controls room, the carpenter shop, the mechanical room, and the grounds crew facility. Each station will feature interactive discussions led by the Phillies’ facilities team and trade foremen, offering students insight into the systems and teamwork required to maintain the ballpark’s infrastructure.

In addition to the technical exploration, students will receive a guided tour of the stadium, a visit from the Phillies' mascot, Phillie Phanatic, and lunch at Pass and Stow to round out a day that blends education, mentorship, and inspiration.

Based in South Jersey, NEST helped establish the Skilled Trades Advisory Council (STAC) in 2023, uniting industry experts across the country to champion skilled trades as viable and rewarding career choices, the press release said. The Skilled Trades All-Star Program is a direct extension of STAC's mission, seeking to illuminate the path for youth toward these essential roles, the press release said.

“Programs like this create momentum,” said Rob Almond, CEO of NEST. “By working with schools, communities, and forward-thinking partners like the Phillies, we’re helping to change perceptions and create pipelines. The trades offer purpose, pride, and prosperity — and those messages need to reach students early.”