Guest column by Austin Bishop, Ag Education Educator and FFA Advisor; CTE Director
Three students from the Belle Fourche High School SkillsUSA chapter recently took their education to new heights–literally and figuratively–by showcasing their heavy equipment operation skills on a live worksite.
Thanks to a partnership with local companies Site Works Specialist and Scull Construction Service, these students had the unique opportunity to operate real machinery outside the classroom.
The students, all enrolled in the school’s Heavy Equipment Operations (HEO) class, demonstrated their proficiency on a range of machines, including an excavator, forklift, skid steer, wheel loader, bulldozer, and an articulating dump truck.
The hands-on experience allowed them to translate the foundational skills they had developed through advanced classroom simulators into real-world application.
“Learning on simulators gives our students the foundation of operation in a controlled environment, but nothing beats the feel of operating the actual equipment,” said Advisor Jim Hartwell. “This opportunity helps them understand the scale and precision of what’s expected on a professional job site.”
Site Works Specialists and Scull Construction Service collaborated to provide an active worksite for the students to gain this valuable experience under professional supervision with Site Works taking the lead. With the help of Jermey Veldman, Site Works Superin-tendent; Brandon Foster, Site Works Project Manager; and Steven Uttecht, Scull Construction Site Superintendent this training event was held with safety protocols in full effect, and the students were accompanied by both instructors and industry mentors throughout the day. These types of relationships not only help in the equipment function correctly, but also with field experience and networking. “This was a big moment for our students,” said Mr. Hartwell. “It’s not every day high schoolers get to jump in a bulldozer or haul material with an articulating dump truck. Experiences like this build confidence and solidify career interest.”
The Heavy Equipment Operations class is part of Belle Fourche’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, which aims to equip students with job-ready skills across a variety of trades. With the support of local industry leaders, the program continues to expand its reach and impact.
Both Site Works and Scull Construction expressed enthusiasm for continuing their involvement with the program, noting the importance of fostering the next generation of skilled workers. Mr. Steven Uttecht states that, “Scull Construction Service and Site Works Specialists strongly believe in investing in our communities and the construction industry’s future.
We value partnerships like this one with Belle Fourche CTE to expose high school students to the construction trades. We strive to cultivate interest in the industry and show the students another potential option for their future. We hope to continue this partnership well into the future.”
The Belle Fourche SkillsUSA chapter along with the other Belle Fourche CTE programs plan to continue integrating real-world experiences into their curriculum, bridging the gap between education and industry–one piece of heavy equipment at a time.
Read the full issue of the Belle Fourche Beacon by clicking here.
