TRAINING

Training That Builds Masters

At DDS, we’re committed to preparing our team for real-world success. That’s why we’ve built one of the most advanced training centers in the industry, located at our headquarters in Henrietta, NY. Here, new hires are immersed in realistic, hands-on scenarios that reflect the challenges they’ll encounter in the field beginning with:

• Hands-On Training Lab — Get your boots dirty in a mock jobsite environment complete with live equipment and field setups.
• Computer Lab — Handle digital training and certifications in a controlled, efficient space.
• Lecture & Classroom Center — Learn from veteran instructors who’ve spent decades in the field.
• Jobsite Simulator — A full-scale training yard where you’ll operate real equipment and perform tasks just like you will in the field.

If you’re ready to become a leader, a builder, and a true Master of the Underground, this is where it begins.

Structured Career Development

Ready to level up your career? Our structured progression level matrix is designed to guide team members from entry-level positions to advanced roles through a series of clearly defined stages.

We conduct progressions on a rolling basis, using a performance-based review system to ensure every team member has mastered the skills, knowledge, and operator qualifications required at each level before advancing to the next. This ensures that safety, quality, and accountability remain at the core of our operations.

Whether you’re just starting out or aiming to become a highly qualified technician, our matrix provides a clear pathway for growth—with support, mentorship, and hands-on training at every step.

Operator Qualification (OQ) Training & Testing

We provide comprehensive Operator Qualification (OQ) training and testing to ensure our crews meet all customer and regulatory requirements. Our training program is led by experienced educators and field-proven subject matter experts, giving our team the technical foundation and real-world insight needed to perform safely and effectively.

For those new to the industry, OQ refers to the federally mandated process that ensures individuals are trained and tested to safely perform specific tasks—like pipe joining, leak detection, and valve operation—on gas distribution systems.

With deep industry knowledge and a hands-on approach, we’re uniquely equipped to guide individuals through the qualification process—helping them build confidence, understand the “why” behind each task, meet compliance standards, and succeed in the field.

On the Job Training, Reinvented

The Mobile Training Unit is built to meet you where you are. The job doesn’t stop and neither does the training. At DDS, our commitment to developing elite technicians doesn’t end at the headquarters. 

We’ve extended our state-of-the-art training experience into the field with our Mobile Training Trailer — a rolling classroom equipped to train teams on the job, in real time. This isn’t just a trailer. It’s an extension of our training center, designed to bring high-impact learning directly to the crews building our legacy. 

What it offers:

• High-Speed Internet & Connectivity — Seamless access to online training modules, real-time updates, and virtual instruction.
• Indoor Training Lab — Step inside for climate-controlled learning, equipped with tools, simulators, and multimedia systems. 
• Outdoor Presentation Awning — Host tailgate-style safety meetings, toolbox talks, or live instruction right on site. 
• Modular Training Stations — Set up inside and outside the unit to accommodate both digital and hands-on learning needs.

Training at Your Fingertips

We believe great crews don’t happen by accident. They’re built through consistent training, shared standards, and the drive to get better every day. 

That’s why we’ve partnered with BuildWitt, the top training platform built for the dirt world — to bring powerful, field-ready learning straight to your phone, tablet, or truck. 

What you’ll get:

• Mobile-first training
• Short, powerful video lessons
• Custom DDS content – one more step towards mastery

We didn’t just launch in a learning tool. We made an investment in the most important asset — our people. With BuildWitt in your pocket and our mobile training unit in the field, you’ve got access to continuous development. Whether you’re at home, on break, or in the trailer, mastering the underground is right there with you.