Road Director Darren Marsh; Safety Equipment Coordinator Chris Bennett; Maintenance Operator I DJ Blake; Equipment Operator I Cody Pruett; Equipment Operator I Kenneth Thornton; and Safety/Equipment Trainer Joey Usina. 8/29/25 @ 11:15 a.m.
At the Wednesday, August 20, 2025 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) recognized Road Department employees Cody Pruett, Kenneth Thornton and DJ Blake on completing the Nassau County Operator Apprenticeship Program.
This Nassau County Operator Apprenticeship Program was created in 2021 in an effort to recruit and retain high caliber employees in a competitive job market. The program was designed to provide Road Department employees with a clear, defined career path upon beginning their employment, and to provide an avenue to increase their skillset through training. A three-year Equipment Operator Apprenticeship Program was developed to train the employees on the safe and efficient operation of small equipment, heavy trucks and heavy equipment. Their first step in the program is obtaining a Class “A” Commercial Driver’s License, followed by learning all aspects of the Road Department to become a highly valued Equipment Operator.
At the August 20th meeting, Safety/Equipment Trainer Joey Usina gave an overview of the employees’ journey through the Apprenticeship Program, highlighting both classroom instruction and hands-on training with heavy equipment. His presentation showcased the wide range of skills they developed, shared photos capturing their progress over the past three years, and outlined each participant’s individual achievements. Joey also noted their success in recent equipment rodeos, where they competed and placed among their peers.
When addressing the BOCC, Joey stated, "These three individuals have completed the Program. In the beginning, they focused on routine, maintenance work. However in the last 18 months we have included them on road upgrades and some complicated drainage projects. These guys are now your lead operators on some of these projects. This is the fruit of your labor for putting this program together."
The Board extends its warmest congratulations to Cody, Kenneth, and DJ on this tremendous accomplishment. Completing the rigorous Apprenticeship Program is a testament to their hard work, perseverance, and dedication to serving Nassau County. We are proud to celebrate their success and look forward to the many contributions they will continue to make as skilled Equipment Operators leading critical projects that improve our community.
-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer
At the Wednesday, August 20, 2025 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) recognized Road Department employees Cody Pruett, Kenneth Thornton and DJ Blake on completing the Nassau County Operator Apprenticeship Program.
This Nassau County Operator Apprenticeship Program was created in 2021 in an effort to recruit and retain high caliber employees in a competitive job market. The program was designed to provide Road Department employees with a clear, defined career path upon beginning their employment, and to provide an avenue to increase their skillset through training. A three-year Equipment Operator Apprenticeship Program was developed to train the employees on the safe and efficient operation of small equipment, heavy trucks and heavy equipment. Their first step in the program is obtaining a Class “A” Commercial Driver’s License, followed by learning all aspects of the Road Department to become a highly valued Equipment Operator.
At the August 20th meeting, Safety/Equipment Trainer Joey Usina gave an overview of the employees’ journey through the Apprenticeship Program, highlighting both classroom instruction and hands-on training with heavy equipment. His presentation showcased the wide range of skills they developed, shared photos capturing their progress over the past three years, and outlined each participant’s individual achievements. Joey also noted their success in recent equipment rodeos, where they competed and placed among their peers.
When addressing the BOCC, Joey stated, "These three individuals have completed the Program. In the beginning, they focused on routine, maintenance work. However in the last 18 months we have included them on road upgrades and some complicated drainage projects. These guys are now your lead operators on some of these projects. This is the fruit of your labor for putting this program together."
The Board extends its warmest congratulations to Cody, Kenneth, and DJ on this tremendous accomplishment. Completing the rigorous Apprenticeship Program is a testament to their hard work, perseverance, and dedication to serving Nassau County. We are proud to celebrate their success and look forward to the many contributions they will continue to make as skilled Equipment Operators leading critical projects that improve our community.
-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer
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