Future Contractors Work with BOCES Partners to Solidify Excavation, Utility Skills

SCHOHARIE – Area high school students dug into their learning on Thursday and built a solid foundation for their professional futures.

Students in the Heavy Equipment Repair and Operation (HERO), Building Trades and Electrical Trades programs on the Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Education Center – Schoharie Campus took part in training that clears the way for them to work around natural gas and utility lines.

BOCES business partners DDS Companies, Hydrovac Excavating, National Grid, Eastcom, as well as the UDIG NY Damage Prevention Center guided students as they buried a 40-foot natural gas line, as well as excavated safely around a gas utility [which for the purpose of the training did not contain gas]. 

Students also practiced hand-exposing a gas utility, which is required before using power tools in a “tolerance” zone. They then applied what they learned in the classroom and saw how repairs are made when a gas line is hit. 

“We learned a lot about safety protocols and the proper procedures to follow. It was fun,” said Deven Dashnaw, a HERO senior from Duanesburg.

The day-long event focussed on everything from how to use water to dig during the winter months to the proper paper towels to use when working with a gas line. 

“This was a great opportunity for our students who worked side-by-side with professionals to safely install the gas main and tie in service,” said Nancy Liddle, Managing Program Coordinator - Business & Community Partnerships at BOCES.

“This is an experience that many construction industry professionals do not receive until they are on the job, and we are able to provide it here thanks to our partners,” she added.

Will Liddell of UDIG NY said that while the day is about “teaching the students to dig safely around the utilities,” a lot more comes out of the training and interaction between partners and students.

“The students get to see all the different jobs out there beyond excavating. Coming out of BOCES, these students have a real heads-up on what is required of them when they enter the workforce,” he said. 

National Grid's Paul Marozzi said the utility “is proud to be in partnership with Capital Region BOCES providing opportunities for students to experience the work we do and provide safety education as together we "Build Tomorrows Workforce Today."

Students said they enjoyed learning not only the skills, but also about career opportunities.

“I’ve learned about a lot of jobs I didn’t know existed,” said Elizabeth Echtner, an Electrical Trades student from Middleburgh.

Among the business partners on hand was Dan Jordon, a safety and training expert with DDS.

“We have a lot of hires that come out of CTE. We are seeing a lot of potential employees in this group today,” he said.

Robin Fiore of Hydrovac Excavating said helping the future generation of workers prepare for the industry is “mission critical.”

“We get people who apply every day, but we need people who are skilled and who want to learn and who will last,” he said. “That’s why it is mission critical that we get out in the community and be a part of it and help build the future workforce.”

Students in Capital Region BOCES construction industry programs routinely earn professional certifications that allow them to excavate for construction and other purposes. 

This Oct. 16 training session, said Liddle, “provides a detailed and thorough evolution of the processes needed to safely operate around natural gas lines.”