This high school program has a waitlist every year. Here's why.

In this episode of the Built In Boots Podcast, we welcome Dan and Josh Coleman from the Broome-Tioga BOCES Heavy Equipment Program. Dan, a veteran instructor with 16 years of experience, shares the inner workings of a program that’s building the future of the construction industry—literally. With a fully immersive two-year hands-on curriculum, high student demand, and real job placement success, this is more than just a school program. It’s a pipeline into the trades.

Mark Payne and Griffin Haley sit down with Dan and Josh to explore how BOCES creates real-world readiness for students—many of whom find their careers before even graduating high school. From fifth-grade excavator camps to co-op partnerships with local contractors and even Peterbilt dealerships, this episode is packed with powerful takeaways for educators, employers, and future tradespeople alike.

What we cover in this episode:

• How BOCES built a program that now has a consistent waitlist
• Their annual Skills Rodeo and its impact on student engagement
• Why early exposure—starting in 5th grade—is a game changer
• The two-year curriculum: hands-on equipment operation and repair
• Why some students discover they’re mechanics, not operators
• CDL training, GPS tech, and what’s next for the program
• Real-world job placement: students working at Peterbilt, paving crews, and family farms
• Culture fit and co-op success stories (and failures) that helped shape careers
• The impact of instructors who double as mentors and role models
• The power of visual learning—why drones are now part of the classroom

If you’re in education, construction, or just care about building the next generation, this episode offers a powerful look at what works—and why.

Keywords: Heavy equipment training, construction careers, BOCES, trades education, underground utilities, civil construction, CDL, vocational education, job placement, co-op programs, GPS training, youth in trades, equipment operator, diesel tech, safety, drone training

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Ready to join a team where your skills and dedication are valued? Visit our Careers Page at www.ddscompanies.com/careers to explore current opportunities and take the first step toward building your future with DDS. Your journey starts here!