Spire welcomes new Ranken Tech, Jefferson College students to cooperative education program

ST. LOUIS (February 23, 2023) — To help prepare the next generation for careers in the natural gas industry, Spire is welcoming students from Ranken Technical College and Jefferson College into the Spire Cooperative Education Program — a two-year educational, hands-on experience that provides students the opportunity to learn and work with highly skilled technicians in the natural gas field.  

During a February 22 ceremony at the company’s St. Louis headquarters, three students signed on to participate in the fourth cohort of the co-op program. The event featured messages from Missouri Governor Mike Parson, St. Louis County Executive Sam Page and Spire Missouri President Scott Carter welcoming Ranken students Chad Bailey of Lake St. Louis and Curtis Fowler of St. Louis, and Jefferson College’s Luke Labruyere of Festus. 
“A knowledgeable and skilled workforce is critical in moving Missouri forward,” said Governor Parson in his remarks. “By developing people and giving them the skills the need to be successful, you are helping create a stronger workforce and ultimately a stronger state.”

The program was created in 2020 to help meet the demand for uniquely skilled workers in the natural gas industry. Since its launch, Spire has hired multiple co-op students for full-time positions as service technicians. This is the fourth year the natural gas provider has partnered with Ranken for the program and the second time Jefferson College will participate. 
To learn more about the Spire Cooperative Education Program, visit spireenergy.com/co-op