Building the Future: ESS Foundation Awards $26,500 to State Tech's Commercial Construction Program
The ESS Foundation presented State Technical College of Missouri (State Tech) with a $26,500 grant to equip the college’s new Commercial Construction Program.
A Brand-New Program
The ESS Foundation’s grant will help fund the purchase of a total station for State Tech’s new Commercial Construction Program, giving students hands-on experience with the latest surveying technology used in the industry. This fall, the program welcomes its first class of 25 students, with plans to grow to 50 students annually. The curriculum combines hands-on training in construction, roofing, and commercial concrete with the technical coursework needed to prepare students for careers in project management, construction drawing, and surveying.
Why a Total Station Matters
A total station is a piece of survey equipment that measures distance, angle, and elevation with a level of precision that’s foundational to any construction project — it’s how a site gets laid out correctly before the first shovel hits the ground. Rather than wait to gain field experience after graduation, State Tech will enable students to work with the same tools.
“The donation toward the Total Station will provide our students with hands-on experience using the same type of technology they will encounter in the construction industry,” said Bob Brown, program instructor at State Tech. “Partnerships with organizations like the ESS Foundation are a huge part of building the next generation of skilled construction professionals.”
Addressing a Real Industry Need
The grant isn’t just about one piece of equipment — it’s a response to a shortage of skilled tradespeople entering the field. Programs like State Tech’s Commercial Construction exist to close that gap, giving students a direct path into careers in the industry.
“State Tech’s new Commercial Construction Program gives students hands-on experience with the same tools and technology being used in our industry today,” Tyler Grotewiel, talent development director for Emery Sapp & Sons said. “When industry and education work together, we can better prepare students for successful careers while building the workforce our industry needs for the future.”
