The Rising Stars Program provides young adults ages 16-24 with career navigation, mentorship and industry exposure to sustainable careers within the construction industry, ultimately helping to bridge the gap between the construction industry and the next generation of skilled workers.

The concept of the Rising Stars Program was started by David Hutchinson during the summer of 2020. The program formally launched in February 2022.

The program is free! With the generous support of Tremco CPG and more than 15 sponsors, we are able to share this program at no cost. Transportation support is also available to students.

A nationally renowned program, Rising Stars is currently offered in six cities across the United States, including Boston, Massachusetts; Brockton, Massachusetts; Brookyln, New York; Charlotte, North Carolina; Cleveland, Ohio; and Newark, New Jersey. In the future, the Rising Stars Program has plans to continue its expansion through new partnerships in other cities across the United States.

Our participants benefit from the program by gaining valuable skills related to careers in construction. Additionally, they are directly connected to networking and job opportunities upon program graduation.

Led by industry professionals, our 16-session curriculum features a mix of educational sessions, field trips, jobsite visits, and hands-on training to expose students to many facets of the construction industry, including trades such as roofing, carpentry, glazing, painting and tile work; safety; building science; architecture; sustainability; and project management.

Effective November 22, 2024, the Tremco Rising Stars Program became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The program remains focused on creating a pipeline of young people enthusiastic about careers in the construction industry. Through this pivotal change, we are enabled to significantly expand the program’s reach, enhance its offerings and secure additional funding to further its mission of empowering underrepresented youth with career opportunities in the construction industry.

The Rising Stars Program is a nonprofit that is funded through various grants, such as the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) Workforce Equity Grant, as well as supported by Tremco CPG. It also partners with local organizations to make each city’s program a success.

Currently, the Rising Stars Program has more than 30 partnered organizations that range from local community groups to large construction companies like Turner Construction. The program’s partners support Rising Stars by volunteering their time and resources.

To get involved or learn more about the program, please contact David Hutchinson, executive director, at dbhutchinson@tremcoinc.com or fill out our form on the Contact page of this site.