Bring Back the Trades, Inc

🛠️ BRING BACK THE TRADES This isn’t just apparel. It’s a movement. A mindset. A reminder that skilled trades built this country—and still keep it running every day. 🔥 Wear your trade with pride. Our hoodies, tees, and gear are made for the ones who show up, work hard, and make things happen. Join the movement. Support the next generation of skilled workers. ➡️ Shop the collection now. https://lnkd.in/djUgCD5b #BringBackTheTrades #TradesStrong #ProudToBeBlueCollar

That’s why Bring Back the Trades, Inc. works so hard to educate individuals and communities about the incredible career opportunities within the trades—not only for skilled workers on the job site, but also for the many essential roles that support them. From administration, estimating, trucking, and HR to countless other professional positions, it takes a wide range of talent to keep a trade-based company running successfully. We are here to help individuals discover their path and build a successful, rewarding career. Learn more at BBTT.org.

We are pleased to announce that David Greer has been elected to the BBTT Board of Directors. David brings decades of proven leadership in manufacturing, workforce development, and technical education. As the long-time CEO of Wire Belt Company of America (WBCA)—a multi-generation, family-owned manufacturing firm specializing in metal conveyor belts and related equipment—he has built a career defined by strategic growth, innovation, and a deep commitment to the skilled trades. David assumed the role of CEO in 1980 at just 31 years old, shortly after earning his degree in Manufacturing Engineering Technology from the University of Maine at Orono. Under his leadership, WBCA relocated from Winchester, MA to New Hampshire in 1989, where he embraced the state’s supportive business environment and expanded the company’s global footprint, including operations in the UK and Germany. His contributions to New Hampshire’s business community have been widely recognized. David has received several distinguished honors, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Business & Industry Association of New Hampshire (BIA) and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the UNH CEO & Family Enterprise Center. David’s deep roots in manufacturing and trade-skills industries align directly with BBTT’s mission to elevate and support careers in the trades. His experience growing a successful multigenerational manufacturing company gives him credibility with both industry and educational partners. Additionally, his longstanding commitment to workforce development—through scholarships, advocacy, and partnerships—makes him an exceptional fit for our board. David’s extensive network across manufacturing, business associations, and regional economic development organizations will further strengthen BBTT’s outreach and impact. We are honored to welcome David Greer to the BBTT Board of Directors and look forward to the expertise and vision he brings to our mission.

The GRAMMY award-winning heavy metal band Metallica (yes, you heard that right) is granting $50,000 to students in New Hampshire community colleges through their All Within My Hands Foundation. 🤘 This will be administered to 90 students in the fall and will provide assistance to cover equipment, materials, gear and more. Known as the Metallica Scholars Initiative, it aims to provide students with the skills and training needed to build meaningful careers that offer family-sustaining wages. Since starting in 2019, they have reached 75 colleges across the United States with their mission. This incredible foundation partners with the American Association of Community Colleges to ensure support for students in skilled trades programs. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e6sJ36j5 #SkilledTrades #Metallica

Everybody needs a good cup of coffee—or tea—especially when it’s in a BBTT mug! 2025 is shaping up to be a stellar year of growth for BBTT. Now that we’ve added more help to our team, I’m excited to get back to my roots: getting out into the community and rebuilding the amazing relationships that have shaped this organization over the years. From here on out, I’m looking to meet with as many people as possible to share our mission, explore new partnerships, and grow our sponsorships. If you’re in our area—or close enough for me to come to you, for you to stop by our office in Rye, or even for a video chat—I’d love to sit down, talk in person, and walk you through all the opportunities to partner with and support BBTT. If you'd like to meet, just let me know. I’d love to connect. Thank you, Steve Turner Founder & CEO, BBTT

Please join us in congratulating Alex Gross, our October BBTT Scholarship Winner! 🎉 Alex is from Jefferson NH and attending White Mountains Community College in Jefferson, New Hampshire, where he is studying to become a welder. We wish Alex much success in his future career!

If you were there, you know the energy. If you weren’t, here’s a glimpse. Caught on camera at Gillette Stadium: the connections, the conversations, and the people driving the future of the skilled trades. More photos coming next week — and a huge thank-you to F.W. Webb Company for being our Title sponsor and everyone (sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, attendees) who made it what it was.

The skilled workforce shortage isn’t just a challenge — it’s an opportunity to lead. UNH Extension Community & Economic Development, in partnership with the NH Governor’s Taskforce to Bring Back the Trades, has launched the Grit to Grow Collaborative to unite business, education, and civic leaders around one goal: building a sustainable workforce pipeline for New Hampshire. We’re inviting industry voices to help guide this work. Take the Industry Needs Survey (https://lnkd.in/emVKVxYU) to share what your sector needs most and help shape targeted workforce solutions. Complete the survey and receive a discounted ticket to the Grit to Grow Workforce Summit this June in Meredith, NH. Let’s move the needle on workforce development — together. #GritToGrow #NHWorkforce #Leadership #EconomicDevelopment #BringBackTheTrades