November 1, 2018
Submitted by Central Arizona College
PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. – Central Arizona College dedicated a new concrete pad donated by Sundt Construction, Inc. on October 30, 2018.
Last December, Sundt Construction announced they would cover all costs to pour 320 cubic yards of concrete for a 142’ by 92’ concrete pad to expand training for students in the Industrial Construction and Concrete Technology programs. CAC students in the Heavy Equipment Operator program leveled and graded the area and Construction Technology students built the concrete forms. The pad was completed in September with the assistance of Sundt employees.
James Busch, Skilled Trades and Technology Division Chair and Professor of Diesel Technology & Heavy Equipment Operator stated, “We are very grateful for the support Sundt has and continues to provide. The advancements being made within our programs and division are possible because of this strong workforce partnership.”
The collaboration between Sundt Construction and CAC began in spring 2016 with customized and tailored academic pathways being offered at CAC, beginning in August 2017.
The partnership between Sundt and CAC continues to grow. Sundt hired an Industrial Carpentry Instructor and now has three adjunct instructors at CAC. The College furnishes on-site lab and instruction space, has added an additional professor, and added a full time recruiter. From the beginning of the program, Sundt has donated a pipe wall, concrete pad, industrial concrete tools, GPS system, backpacks and hard hats, and GPS -SiteTech Training. Activities are planned to continue with the development of the CAC training area and multiple opportunities to provide jobsite experiences outside the college environment, such as jobsite visits, vendor-training facilities, Center for Craft Excellence and community outreach programs are being added.
During the 2017-2018 academic year, 178 students enrolled in Industrial Carpentry, Welding, Pipe Fitting, Heavy Equipment Operator and the Operator Apprenticeship program offerings at CAC. The first cohort graduated in May 2018 with 100% of graduates receiving jobs. The students hired by Sundt received a $1,000 tuition reimbursement to help defray the cost of the program.
Central Arizona College
For more than 48 years, Central Arizona College has been serving and educating the diverse communities of Pinal County. With five campuses and three centers located strategically throughout the county, CAC provides accessible, educational, economic, cultural, and personal growth opportunities for those of all ages.
Sundt Construction
Sundt Construction, Inc. (www.sundt.com) is one of the country’s largest and most respected general contractors. The 127-year-old firm specializes in transportation, industrial and building work and is known for its commitment to quality and innovative approach to construction services. Sundt has offices throughout Arizona, Texas, California and Utah and is 100 percent owned by its approximately 2,000 employees. The company is consistently ranked among the Best Places to Work by business publications in multiple cities and in 2016 it was named the nation’s safest construction company by the Associated General Contractors of America for the second time in a decade – an honor no other contractor can claim. Sundt’s charitable arm, the Sundt Foundation, recently crossed the $8 million mark in donations made to hundreds of nonprofit organizations across the country.