SCC and NUCA Kentucky host successful live trench training day

Published on Jul 24, 2025

On Friday, June 13, 2025, the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) of Kentucky, in collaboration with Somerset Community College (SCC) and title sponsors Boyd CAT and Cumberland Pipeline, successfully hosted its annual Live Trench Training Day at SCC’s new Valley Oak Center. This hands-on event attracted over 150 NUCA members and utility professionals dedicated to enhancing safety and operational knowledge in the field.

The 30+ acre site at the Valley Oak Center served as an ideal backdrop for live demonstrations, allowing attendees to engage in practical, real-world utility scenarios. Participants took part in crucial activities, including trenching and shoring techniques, dewatering with pump installations, emergency responses to electrical utility accidents, and a realistic mock gas line strike which coincides with recent Public Service Commission Trainings. These immersive experiences provided invaluable training that reflects the everyday challenges faced by utility personnel.

This year’s training day was particularly beneficial, offering 3 continuing education units (CEUs) for water and wastewater operators—a testament to its importance for industry professionals looking to further their expertise. The event saw generous support from Contractor and Associate NUCA members alongside partner government entities such as KY-OSHA and the Public Service Commission, who contributed equipment, operated training stations, and set up informative booths.

Students from SCC’s Heavy Equipment Operations program played a pivotal role in the event’s success. They not only participated in the training but also assisted in preparing the site by digging trenches for demonstrations and restoring the grounds afterward. This hands-on involvement provided students with a firsthand look at the skills and tasks they can expect in their future careers.

“Our partnerships, such as the one with NUCA, are crucial for the successful development of Somerset Community College’s Heavy Equipment Operations and Utility Technician programs,” stated Alesa Johnson, Vice President of Workforce Solutions at SCC. “Without these vital industry collaborations, we would face a shortage of skilled labor, negatively impacting economic growth, business productivity, and access to sustainable careers in our community. By providing educational and workforce opportunities, we are fostering upward mobility and enhancing the long-term economic resilience of our region.”

Executive Director of NUCA Kentucky Mary Jo Spurlock highlighted the importance of workforce development in the region.

“NUCA of KY felt that SCC’s Valley Oak Center was the perfect set up and partnership for our Live Trench Training with the HEO & UT programs already onsite. Collaborations with partners like SCC are value add relationships for our members for not only safety training, but workforce development opportunities. Our goal is to create an atmosphere for our members to receive those benefits and key contacts bridging the gap between contractors, vendors, and the entities that they work for to make a more positive, efficient, and safe industry environment.”

The ongoing collaboration between SCC and NUCA underscores a shared commitment to safety, workforce development, and the advancement of Kentucky’s utility industry.

For more information about SCC’s Heavy Equipment Operations program, please email VP of Workforce Solutions at alesa.johnson@kctcs.edu or visit SCC's Heavy Equipment Operations page.