LIFE IN THE FAST LANE
With NWA’ s ever-growing population, a career in road building has longevity.
APAC-CENTRAL builds roads like Interstate 49 and the new Springdale bypass, and its quarries produce the asphalt and concrete used in construction projects throughout our community. Some of APAC’ s many careers include diesel technicians, construction supervisors, and equipment operators. No matter what your job is at the company, you’ re part of APAC’ s family of families.
Ernesto Peña and his son Jesus are just one example. Both work as mechanics repairing big construction equipment. Ernesto started with APAC after he was laid off at a different company.
“ I wanted to keep working so I could buy a swing set for my kids,” he recalls.“ A temp agency sent me to APAC and I was offered a full time job a few weeks later. APAC sent me to school so I could learn new skills. I love what I’ m doing and I was blessed to find this place.”
Jesus followed his dad to APAC as soon as he turned 18.“ I knew I wanted to do this type of work. As a kid I was always taking my toys apart and trying to put them back together,” he says. The Springdale High graduate had some job experience, but got most of his training at APAC. Jesus credits a high school class with helping find his career.“ I took an agriculture class and that helped me decide this is what I really wanted to do. They teach you a lot.”
Greg Fuller built a career as a machinist at APAC and his son also works for the company.“ I didn’ t think I’ d stay a year when I first started, but then I wound up liking it,” Fuller says. He’ s now been with APAC more than 17 years.“ I like that it’ s different every day. If you want to get started in this field you need your education and certification, but hands-on learning is best.”
Supervisor Linda Lewis is an example of what hands-on learning can lead to. She’ s been with APAC more than 30 years.“ I got into the construction business by accident,” she laughs.“ I was working for another company and as a woman they didn’ t want to let me do anything. I told my boss they’ d hired the wrong person!” She joined APAC as a certified crane operator but that wasn’ t all she could do.“ I learned how to weld, use a torch, tie rebar, lay beams- I’ ve done it all!” Lewis believes more women should consider careers in construction.“ Now is the time for women in this field. There are so many opportunities for anyone, women and men. If you are professional and can show you’ re a hard worker, you’ ll earn respect.”
New hire Jordan Hawkins is getting his hands-on experience thanks to a mentor. He works at APAC’ s quarry in Hindsville alongside Ted Peaks, an equipment operator.“ I knew I wanted to be in construction because I can’ t sit still, I like to be doing something,” Hawkins explains. Peaks makes sure Hawkins learns about the business and how to work safely.“ Besides working together we meet once a week to learn about safety fundamentals and how they apply to the job every day,” Peaks says. Hawkins agrees it’ s a big help.“ It can be overwhelming with all this equipment you’ ve never seen before. I know I can ask him if I have a question or concern and it makes me feel like I belong.”
To join the APAC family, you need to be 18 years old. You must also be able to pass a drug test, physical assessment and background check. To learn more about career opportunities, visit apaccentralinc. com.
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