Missouri 811 is committed to promoting safe digging practices and protecting essential underground utilities. To further this mission, Missouri 811 has partnered with State Technical College of Missouri to create the first-ever Safety Village, a hands-on training facility designed to educate future professionals on excavation safety, utility protection, and damage prevention. This initiative represents a significant investment in workforce training, ensuring that young professionals enter the industry with the skills and knowledge necessary to prioritize safety.
Excavation and utility work require precision and an understanding of underground infrastructure. Accidental damage to utility lines can lead to service disruptions, costly repairs, and even serious injuries. By partnering with State Tech, Missouri 811 aims to instill safe digging practices from the start of a student’s career, reinforcing the importance of calling 811 before any excavation project.
The Safety Village at State Tech will provide students with real-world scenarios where they can learn how to locate underground utilities, practice proper excavation techniques, and understand best practices for preventing damage. By training future professionals in a controlled, hands-on environment, Missouri 811 is proactively reducing utility strikes and enhancing job site safety statewide.
State Technical College has built a reputation as Missouri’s premier technical training institution, offering career-focused programs that prepare students for immediate employment. With a strong emphasis on practical learning and industry collaboration, State Tech ensures its graduates are workforce-ready from day one.
For industries like construction, utilities, and heavy equipment operations, a solid educational foundation is essential. State Tech provides the hands-on training necessary for students to gain experience in real job conditions, reducing the need for extensive on-the-job training while increasing workforce efficiency.
State Tech offers an array of programs designed to support Missouri’s infrastructure workforce, including:
The backbone of the utility industry, linemen and utility system technicians ensure that electrical and communication systems are installed and maintained effectively. Students in these programs learn everything from powerline construction to troubleshooting electrical distribution systems, with a strong emphasis on safety and proper procedures for avoiding underground utility damage.
State Tech’s Utility Construction Technology program prepares students for careers in underground and overhead utility infrastructure. Covering excavation, pipeline installation, and system maintenance, this program emphasizes safety protocols and efficiency. Graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills to work in utility installation, maintenance, and project management while prioritizing damage prevention.
Operating bulldozers, excavators, and backhoes requires precision and skill, as well as an understanding of how to avoid utility strikes. In this program, students receive hands-on training with real heavy machinery on a state-of-the-art worksite, where they learn safe digging practices and how to properly assess underground hazards before breaking ground.
The construction industry requires both skilled laborers and knowledgeable managers. State Tech offers programs in Construction Technology and Construction Management, allowing students to specialize in carpentry, concrete, surveying, and more. With coursework covering project planning, estimating, and site supervision, graduates are well-prepared to take on leadership roles while ensuring job site safety and compliance with Missouri 811 regulations.
Missouri 811’s partnership with State Tech is a critical step toward ensuring Missouri’s workforce is well-prepared for safe and efficient construction and excavation projects. The college works closely with businesses, unions, and industry professionals to tailor its curriculum to current workforce needs. Advisory boards and employer partnerships allow State Tech to stay ahead of industry trends and integrate safety-focused training into its programs.
Missouri 811’s involvement ensures that future excavators, linemen, and construction workers understand the importance of utility protection and damage prevention. By reinforcing the call-before-you-dig message early in students’ training, Missouri 811 is shaping a safer and more responsible workforce.
With an aging workforce and increasing infrastructure needs, Missouri’s construction and utility industries are facing a significant skills gap. Institutions like State Technical College of Missouri, in partnership with Missouri 811, are essential in filling this gap by training the next generation of skilled professionals with safety at the forefront of their education.
For those looking to enter a high-demand, high-paying career, State Tech offers a direct path to success. Whether it’s operating heavy equipment, managing a construction site, or maintaining electrical utility systems, students gain the expertise and experience necessary to make an immediate impact in their chosen fields, while also prioritizing safety and best practices for protecting underground utilities.
If you or someone you know is considering a career in the skilled trades, State Technical College of Missouri, in collaboration with Missouri 811, provides the education and hands-on training needed to excel in these industries.
To learn more about their programs and the Safety Village initiative, visit State Tech’s official website. Investing in technical education today ensures a safer, more skilled workforce for Missouri’s future.