--- title: Citizens Develops Backhoe Training Program description: Citizens Develops Backhoe Training Program image: https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/hubfs/July-August%20Engauge%202022%20Cover.jpg --- [![](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/hubfs/Engauge/engauge-logo.jpg)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge) [![](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/hubfs/Backgrounds/search-mobile.png)](https://www.citizensenergygroup.com/Search) # Citizens Develops Backhoe Training Program By Mandy Saucerman on 7/29/22 10:59 AM ![](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/hubfs/July-August%20Engauge%202022%20Cover.jpg) After three years of planning, Shared Field Services launched a backhoe training program at the beginning of May.   Underground maintenance and construction crews for water and gas distribution require a backhoe operator to do their work.   Over the past several years, Citizens Energy Group has experienced significant turnover in the machine operator position, and many newer employees have lacked backhoe operation experience.  In order to create a training program, Citizens needed a space to allow employees to practice operating backhoes, as well as an individual to lead the training efforts.  Shared Field Services, Gas Operations, and Water Operations personnel worked with **Jeff Hansen**, Director, Wastewater Plant Operations, and **Larry Taylor**, Wastewater Area Maintenance Supervisor, to locate a plot of land at the Southport Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant where the training could be conducted and also added Technical Trainer **Cody Gibbs** to its staff.   Gibbs spends two weeks each month working with gas and water distribution employees one-on-one. Prior to the development of the training program, employees without backhoe operation experience were trained on the job.  ![backhoe-training-southport-3-crop](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/backhoe-training-southport-3-crop.jpg?width=600&name=backhoe-training-southport-3-crop.jpg) “This program gives us a place where employees can learn how to operate a backhoe, install pipe in the ground for both gas and water distribution, trench, and shore without the risk of damaging equipment or materials on a job site,” said **Joe Anthis**, Manager, Customer Field Services.  **Josh Puckett**, Customer Field Services Supervisor of Training, is excited about additional opportunities the new training location provides for Citizens and its employees in the future.  “This has the potential for so many training opportunities beyond the digging piece,” Puckett said. “With this location, we will be able to perform various outdoor simulations that were previously hindered or restricted within the Langsdale training lab. Examples include underground line locating, outside leak investigations, main valve/curb stop operation, and repairing damaged lines.”    *Top right (on the cover): Cody Gibbs, right (on the ground) instructs Nathan Hornberger in backhoe operation. Bottom: Nathan Hornberger, right (in the backhoe), learns operation skills from Josh Puckett, left (on the ground).* ### Current Articles ### Recent Issues - [November 2019 (23)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2019/11) - [November 2018 (21)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2018/11) - [January 2021 (21)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2021/01) - [October 2021 (21)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2021/10) - [February 2020 (20)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2020/02) - [December 2021 (20)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2021/12) - [October 2018 (19)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2018/10) - [January 2019 (19)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2019/01) - [June 2020 (19)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2020/06) - [August 2019 (18)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2019/08) - [October 2019 (18)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2019/10) - [April 2020 (18)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2020/04) - [September 2022 (18)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2022/09) - [July 2019 (17)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2019/07) - [July 2020 (17)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2020/07) - [June 2021 (17)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2021/06) - [April 2019 (16)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2019/04) - [January 2020 (16)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2020/01) - [October 2020 (16)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2020/10) - [December 2020 (16)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2020/12) - [April 2021 (16)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2021/04) - [July 2021 (16)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2021/07) - [September 2020 (15)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2020/09) - [March 2021 (15)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2021/03) - [June 2022 (15)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2022/06) - [February 2019 (14)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2019/02) - [May 2019 (14)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2019/05) - [May 2022 (14)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2022/05) - [July 2022 (14)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2022/07) - [October 2023 (13)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2023/10) - [September 2021 (12)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2021/09) - [March 2023 (12)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2023/03) - [May 2023 (12)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2023/05) - [June 2023 (12)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2023/06) - [February 2022 (11)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2022/02) - [August 2018 (10)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2018/08) - [August 2023 (10)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2023/08) - [March 2022 (9)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2022/03) [![PDF Archives](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2545024/33b9e93c-8f43-4101-9b48-7e78154731f5.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2545024/33b9e93c-8f43-4101-9b48-7e78154731f5) **Engauge** is published by Citizens Energy Group, Corporate Affairs Department, under the direction of Shannon Stahley, Director of Corporate and Public Affairs. 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