Central Arizona College Dedicates Concrete Pad Donated by Sundt Construction
By Angela Askey, Executive Director of Public Relations and Marketing
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 job-site experiences outside the college environment, such as job-site 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.
