On Wednesday, October 15th, our GMT team had the privilege of joining the volunteer force at PRO New England's Youth Remodeling Career Day at Bolton Fairgrounds in Lancaster, MA. The numbers tell the story of great community impact: 500 students from 12 local schools, 45 hands-on work experiences, and 186 mock interviews. A big shout-out to all the dedicated volunteers, activity hosts, and sponsors working together.
A Day of Impact
We had a beautiful day, and this year's Youth Remodeling Career Day delivered on PRO New England's mission in extraordinary ways. Students didn't just observe—they participated in 45 different hands-on tasks that put real tools in their hands and gave them an authentic taste of careers in the remodeling industry.
The interactive stations allowed students to:
- Build walls and stairs
- Install roof shingles and siding
- Work on finish carpentry projects
- Install windows and toilets
- Sand floors and lay tile
- Learn about mold remediation
- Explore careers in architecture, design, and construction
- And much more!
Our team members embraced various volunteer roles throughout this remarkable day. Glenn was among the volunteers who conducted the 186 mock interviews—a staggering number that shows PRO NE's commitment to preparing students for real job opportunities. As one student noted, "I liked how they gave us the option of doing mock interviews to help us in the future." Meanwhile, Evan and other GMT team members managed registration for the 500 students, coordinated lunch service, and handled setup and cleanup operations.
The Power of Collective Effort
Beyond the hands-on activities and interviews, volunteers distributed hundreds of hardhats, soft hats, supplies, tools, resources, and lunches. Every welcome message given and every direction provided contributed to a seamlessly orchestrated day.
Sterling Bump of Custom Contracting and Asher Nichols of Asher Nichols & Craftsmen deserve special recognition for their unrivaled commitment and tremendous capacity to deliver year after year.
Here's what some attendees had to say.
Students:
- "I like all of the hands-on experience and how we got to do most of the stuff that would most likely happen on a job site."
- "The most valuable was learning about the different types of tools because it was focused on the field of work I want."
- "I learned a lot about stuff that I wouldn't have learned in my shop and I got to do fun events to show off my skills."
Teachers:
- "I liked the fact that the majority of the event was very hands-on for the students. Most events are a 'view only' type."
- "There were a lot of hands-on activities with incentives for the students to participate. The presenters worked very well with the students and were very approachable."
Exhibitors, sponsors and industry professionals:
- Ryan Wagner from Wagner Development appreciated "the opportunity to volunteer, and being hands-on with those interested in the trades."
- Sterling Bump noted, "I really enjoyed working with the students and seeing how well they all worked together to problem-solve."
- Event sponsor Ryan Benevides from James Hardie Building Products praised the "great interaction with the students" and the "great encouragement by teachers and staff to get students involved in the workstation."
Creating Pathways Across Communities
The participation of 12 local schools shows the regional commitment to developing the next generation of skilled trades professionals. Each of these schools sent students who left with:
- Direct experience with professional tools and techniques
- Connections to potential employers and internship opportunities
- Professional interview practice that prepares them for job searches
- Tangible resources including hardhats, tools, and career information
- Inspiration and clarity about career possibilities in the trades
We extend our deepest gratitude to PRO New England for conceiving and executing this remarkable event that they rightfully call their most important "mission day" of the year. It takes a LOT of work to coordinate all the students, volunteers, supplies and activities.
Our thanks also extend to the photographers who documented the day:
- Patrick Rogers Photography (@patrickrphotos on Instagram)
- Veronica Jay Photography
- Seth at Eagle Eye Pictures for drone footage
You can see the energy and impact of the event in the images they captured.
Looking Forward
The success of this year's Youth Remodeling Career Day sets a high bar for community engagement in workforce development. We're already looking forward to next year's event and encourage other businesses in our industry to get involved. Whether through volunteering, hosting an activity booth, or providing sponsorship support, every contribution helps deliver the hands-on experiences, mock interviews, and resources that make this event transformative for students.
As this year's turnout demonstrates, when an entire community comes together with shared purpose, we can create opportunities that change lives. We're not just addressing the skills gap in the trades; we're opening doors to fulfilling careers for hundreds of students across our region.
GMT Home Designs is a family owned-and-operated New England architecture firm practicing user-centered design for residential and light commercial projects. We design spaces that make life better for the people who live and work there.