Drake State Community and Technical College and Huntsville Utilities are partnering to help address a growing demand for skilled utility workers through a new workforce training program aimed at recent high school graduates.
The two organizations on Wednesday celebrated the completion of the inaugural Underground Utilities Course, a three-week hands-on training program that provides participants with industry-recognized certifications in underground water and gas operations.
Students demonstrated skills learned during the program at a “Dig the Line” event held in Drake State’s Outdoor Classroom, where participants operated heavy equipment and showcased technical proficiencies gained during the course.
Officials said the program was created in response to workforce shortages in the utility sector and the increasing infrastructure demands associated with Huntsville’s rapid growth.
“This is a great collaboration with Drake State, where we can set up an underground water and gas operations course to help folks that are interested in this type of work so they can get a level of certification,” said Harry Hobbs, Huntsville Utilities vice president of engagement. “Hopefully in the future, if there’s some open jobs, in Huntsville Utilities or other local utilities, they can be more competitive.”
The course was developed jointly by Drake State’s workforce development team and Huntsville Utilities. Organizers said the program creates a direct pathway to careers that offer long-term stability and competitive wages.
Among the inaugural participants was Treveon Nelson, a recent graduate of Columbia High School.
“So far I have been spotting the excavator for my partner and then I have also been working traffic control,” Nelson said. “It is giving me an opportunity to find myself a stable job. Something that will last me quite a while, as someone who is creative with their hands, more so than anything else.”
Doug Brazier, Drake State’s dean of workforce development and career technical education, said the program reflects the college’s commitment to meeting regional workforce needs.
“Huntsville is experiencing a period of tremendous growth, and Drake State is growing right alongside it,” Brazier said. “Programs like the Underground Utilities Course are a direct reflection of our commitment to meeting the evolving demands of this region. By partnering with industry leaders like Huntsville Utilities, we are ensuring that our students don’t just earn credentials, they earn a real pathway into the careers that are building the future of our city.”
In conjunction with the program’s completion, Huntsville Utilities and Drake State are also encouraging residents to practice safe digging habits during the busy summer construction season.
Officials reminded homeowners and contractors to contact Alabama 811 by calling 811 or visiting AL811.com at least two business days before beginning any digging project. The free service marks underground utility lines and helps prevent service disruptions, property damage and injuries.
Huntsville Utilities provides electric, natural gas and water service throughout the Huntsville area. Drake State Community and Technical College, founded in 1961, is a historically Black community college that offers academic, technical and workforce training programs serving North Alabama.
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