Mitchell Tech's New Underground Powerline Lab Trains Next Generation of Linemen

MITCHELL, S.D. — A new 34,000-square-foot training facility at Mitchell Technical College is giving powerline students something they've never had before: the ability to practice underground line work year-round, regardless of South Dakota's brutal winters.

The Touchstone Energy Utilities Lab, dedicated Thursday, Sept. 3, is believed to be the first building in the region, and possibly the nation, dedicated entirely to underground powerline training. The facility represents a significant investment in workforce development for the utilities industry, which is facing a growing demand for skilled workers as the country transitions from overhead to underground powerlines.

What makes the Touchstone Energy Utilities Lab unique?

Unlike traditional powerline training programs that shut down underground work when the ground freezes, the new climate-controlled facility keeps temperatures above freezing year-round. Students can now operate backhoes, trenchers and other heavy equipment in a controlled environment, practicing real-world scenarios they'll encounter in the field.

Tom Osborne, coordinator for the powerline program at Mitchell Tech, said the facility puts the program at the top of the list nationwide.

“To our knowledge, this is the first building in the region, if not the United States, dedicated 100% to underground,” Osborne said. “It puts the program up top on the list of everyone across the United States. You can't go to many places where they have a class that's dedicated to underground year-round.”

Why is underground powerline training in high demand?

The utility industry has been steadily shifting from overhead to underground powerlines for decades. As technology has improved, underground cable has become significantly more reliable than the early versions installed in the 1970s. Communities increasingly prefer underground lines for aesthetic and resilience reasons.

“People don't want to see the wires. Now, people are saying — if we can put it underground, we want to put it underground,” Osborne said.

This trend means the 115 students enrolled in Mitchell Tech's powerline program this year are in higher demand than ever. Job placement for graduates hovers around 98%, with students coming from across the country, including Iowa, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, Nebraska, Missouri, Minnesota, and the Dakotas.

How was the facility funded?

The project was funded by a $4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, with additional support from local sources, including approximately $1 million from industry backers like Touchstone Energy Cooperatives, whose name adorns the building.

Bob Sahr, CEO and general manager for the East River Electric Cooperative, noted that his organization employs 61 Mitchell Tech graduates out of 173 total employees. He said the new facility removes one of the biggest obstacles to underground training in South Dakota: winter.

“This facility gives Mitchell Tech students something they simply couldn't get in the same way before — a controlled, year-round environment where they can learn and practice the skills that they will use in the real world,” Sahr said.

What do Mitchell Tech leaders say about the new lab?

Theresa Kriese, president of Mitchell Technical College, told the assembled crowd that the building represents more than just bricks and mortar.

“Today marks more than an opening of a new facility. It represents the power of partnership, the importance of workforce development and our shared commitment to preparing the next generation of skilled utility professionals,” Kriese said. “Your generosity is an investment not only in Mitchell Technical College, but also in the future workforce that will continue to keep communities powered and our region strong.”

Nick Wendell, executive director of the South Dakota Board of Technical Education, highlighted the growth of the state's technical schools, which have expanded nearly 17% in the last decade.

“That's the legacy of a facility like this. It will prepare people for generations that will power our communities and our counties and our state into the future,” Wendell said.

How does this benefit Iowa and the broader region?

While the facility is located in South Dakota, its impact extends well beyond state lines. Mitchell Tech's powerline program draws students from across the Midwest, including Iowa, and graduates go on to work for utilities throughout the region. The program's reputation as a national leader in underground line training means Iowa's utility companies can tap into a pipeline of highly skilled workers.

Lon TeKrony, an underground instructor at Mitchell Tech and a graduate of the program himself, said the new facility will transform how students learn.

“It's really changing for the good. It's going to give them so much more of real life scenarios of things that we can do, where we don't have to stop digging and tranching and setting up basements and stuff like that for those three or four months,” TeKrony said. “It's going to be more like real life.”

Jordan Hanson, mayor of Mitchell, said the investment in technical education benefits the entire community and the industries it serves, sending graduates to all corners of the United States.

What's next for Mitchell Tech's powerline program?

The Touchstone Energy Utilities Lab is part of an ongoing expansion on campus, which also includes the Ag Power Diesel Lab building dedicated in 2024. The new facilities signal that technical schools are rising to meet the demands of both industry and students.

With the demand for skilled utility workers only expected to grow, the new lab positions Mitchell Tech as a destination for students seeking hands-on, career-ready training. As TeKrony noted, students are already driving past other line schools to get to Mitchell.

“Last year we had kids from Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota,” TeKrony said. “So they're driving past a lot of other line schools to get here.”