Rural Missouri - April 2021 - 4

R M | C O O P E R AT I O N

photo by Zach Smith

Boone Electric Cooperative, Columbia, was recognized in February by AMEC and State Technical College of Missouri
as the first to donate to the Dollar-Up Campaign, which supports funding the college's electrical distribution systems program.

Dollars at work

Dollar-Up campaign funds lineworker training

ince 1999 the Electrical Distribution Systems, or EDS, program at State Technical
College of Missouri has filled a much-needed
role in the utility sector: skilled lineworkers.
Through a winning formula of industry-led curriculum and hands-on training, State Tech's program
averages a 98%-placement rate among graduates.
Electric co-ops have reaped the benefits of the
program through access to skilled interns and,
eventually, future employees. To help fuel this
workforce development, co-ops are giving back to
State Tech through the Dollar-Up campaign to help
fund the purchase of equipment and materials.
Craig Moeller, director of risk management for
the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives
and a member of the EDS Advisory Committee,
says Dollar-Up is imperative for training the next
generation of lineworkers and keeping the school
on the cutting edge of education.
" Students might not get their hands on the
newest and best bucket truck or skid-steer until
they're already in an internship or employed, "
Craig says. " It makes a huge impact to have the
same state-of-the-art equipment that's being used
in the field available to them in the classroom. "
Through Dollar-Up, utilities employing State
Tech interns can donate the equivalent of an extra
dollar per hour per intern back to the program.

RURAL MISSOURI | APRIL 2021

In February, Boone Electric Cooperative, Columbia, was recognized as the first organization to
fund Dollar-Up with a contribution of $1,668.
Manager of Operations Jimmy Goodnight says
interns assist with the busy summer construction
season and receive experience with the co-op's
underground and overhead distribution systems.
" We've supported the program for several years
because they're the closest source of qualified line
students, " Jimmy adds. " It's in our best interest to
make sure there are quality lineworkers out there. "
Through the state's Enhancement Grant Program, funds can be matched on a 3-to-1 basis. A
first-year class of 50 interns working 500 hours
has the potential to create $100,000 of annual
funding. Shannon Grus, vice president of advancement at State Tech, says donations from partners
such as the co-ops go a long way toward keeping
the EDS program up-to-date.
" We have the same goal: To give students the
best technical education so they become a great
employee, " Shannon says. " That's what makes
State Tech special; those industry professionals
who are so invested in what we're doing. "
For more information about State Tech's program,
visit www.statetechmo.edu/program/electricaldistribution-systems.

http://www.statetechmo.edu/program/electrical-distribution-systems http://www.statetechmo.edu/program/electrical-distribution-systems

Rural Missouri - April 2021

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