How fast can you operate a wrench in a speed challenge? Can you join copper pipe together without solder? What is it like to splice fiber optic cable? These questions and more were answered through a range of hands-on experiences offered at the Community College System of NH (CCSNH) booth at Bring Back the Trades Skills Expo at Londonderry High School on April 26.
Bring Back the Trades Inc. (BBTT) is a national nonprofit founded by Rye, N.H. resident Steve Turner to empower the next generation of skilled tradespeople. Its mission is to raise awareness about the rewarding opportunities in the trades, provide scholarships to those pursuing these essential careers and foster meaningful connections between students, parents, educators and industry professionals.
More than 1,000 students, parents and jobseekers came out to learn about careers in the trades at the Londonderry event. Representatives from all seven community colleges collaborated to offer an action-packed CCSNH booth that drew a constant stream of visitors.
Fiber optic and LAN cable building, a pipe fitting activity, a mechanical engineering technology show-and-tell and a very popular Speedwrench Challenge attracted attendees to the CCSNH booth. They stayed to learn more about CCSNH’s trade-related educational programs.
“Interactive activities give us an opportunity to get a conversation going and really talk to participants,” explained Steven Gorman, director of admissions at Great Bay Community College and CCSNH’s coordinator for the event.
CCSNH has participated in BBTT expos since the organization became a nonprofit in 2019. Gorman estimates that he has personally been involved in at least seven expos around the state, and he leaves each one energized by the experience. “These events are built so attendees can look at a wide range of different pathways to a career. A lot of people don’t know what they want to do, and that’s why we are here. The expo shows them activities and career paths they may have never considered. It gives them a chance to discover and explore.”
Bring Back the Trades awards scholarships to encourage students to attend post-secondary education in the skilled trades. Of the three scholarship winners announced at the Londonderry event, two were current CCSNH students. Brody Oullette received a $1,500 scholarship to complete his certificate in Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair Technology at Great Bay Community College in fall 2025. Tenison Favreau also received a $1,500 scholarship to apply toward his education at Manchester Community College’s Automotive Technology program focused on Ford vehicles. Award winners were selected based upon a competitive application process.
BBTT expos are held throughout the state and tend to draw attendees within a 40-minute drive of the venue. The Londonderry event increased awareness of CCSNH as a whole and provided a forum to speak one-on-one with potential students primarily from the Manchester/Nashua area. “It’s all about awareness. The expo helps us highlight that one of many pathways to a good career is through community college,” said Gorman.
Through more than 200 degree and certificate programs and ApprenticeshipNH, a workforce program of CCSNH, New Hampshire’s community colleges play a lead role in encouraging, educating and training thousands of individuals to fill key skilled trade positions across the Granite State.
