NABHOLZ CONSTRUCTION wants to help you start a career based
on purpose, principles and culture. A leader in the construction
industry, Nabholz offers careers for skilled craftspeople, project
managers, superintendents and many others. The company’s focus
is on the quality of both its work and its people, who describe
Nabholz as a rewarding, fun and caring place to work.
“People often have a negative perception of the construction
industry, but that’s not accurate,” says Steve Clouten, President of
Nabholz’s Central Region. “We want to help people learn about
the many opportunities in this industry.”
Clouten, originally from Australia, began his career as a carpenter.
He says skilled trades were viewed differently where he grew
up. “The trades were really emphasized as career options, and
there was an apprenticeship program for nearly every trade –
everything from plumbing to masonry and even if someone wanted
to be a butcher. One
piece of advice my father
gave me that I took to
heart was to learn a
trade.”
Clouten started a
four-year carpentry
apprenticeship program
when he was 16 years
old. Apprenticeships
include on-the-job
training and classroom
work. At the end of the
program, apprentices
obtained their
journeyman status. “I
came from a culture
where going through that process to become a journeyman was
very important in developing the next generation of craftspeople,
and when I came to the United States I did not see as much
emphasis on that,” Clouten says.
After earning his journeyman license, Clouten worked in
construction for about 10 years and had his own business before
coming to work in the United States. He eventually decided to
attend college and earned degrees in construction engineering,
construction management and business administration. He worked
for several construction companies before joining Nabholz
approximately eight years ago. Clouten says the company’s
culture sets it apart from others in the industry. “Nabholz is well
grounded in values and integrity. We do the right thing. I’ve never
worked for a more caring, giving company. There is an abundance
of opportunities here for people who want to grow and develop
personally and professionally.”
more than 200 journeyman carpenters, many of whom went on
to become superintendents, project managers and upper level
managers. Nabholz University offers a carpentry apprenticeship
program, management training classes, professional development
seminars and other opportunities to continue your education.
Nabholz also offers a tuition assistance program for work-related
courses or construction management programs at schools like
NWACC, John Brown University and Pittsburg State.
Clouten says Nabholz wants to help people better understand
careers in construction. “Students and their parents are welcome to
come visit us and learn about all the opportunities available. We
encourage young people to contact us because that one-on-one
time can be very impactful.”
If you don’t have a lot of experience in construction, Clouten says
having the right attitude can put you on the path to success at
Nabholz. “Work ethic
is important and so is
being punctual and
responsible. Show that
you really want to grow,
develop and learn from
others. We look for
people that have that fire
in their belly,” he says.
“Take some initiative and
contact us. If you show
interest, we will make
time to speak with you.”
Nabholz develops new
craft employees by
teaming up a veteran
employee with new
employees. “We believe
mentoring and coaching are very important, and also promoting a
safety culture.” Clouten explains.
Clouten says they want to bring all employees into a culture of
safety and promote the company’s purpose statement of growing
people, serving clients and building communities.
At Nabholz, building communities doesn’t just mean building
schools or hospitals. It’s about a commitment to helping
communities thrive. The company has more than 1,100 employees
who are encouraged to share their time and talents in the
communities they primarily serve in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri
and Kansas.
If you’d like to learn more about opportunities at Nabholz, visit
http://nabholz.com, or scan the code to see team members share
their Nabholz stories.
One of those opportunities is Nabholz University, an in-house
construction training program. Nabholz University has produced
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