BUILDING THE ROAD TO SUCCESS
A company that specializes in building roads , highways and bridges could put you on a great career path .
SWEETSER CONSTRUCTION has been helping build Northwest Arkansas for more than 60 years . The business specializes in infrastructure work including , building highways , bridges and roads , land clearing and grading , water and sewer , paving , and drainage work . Chances are you ’ re familiar with the company ’ s work if you ’ ve ever driven on parts of Don Tyson Parkway and Elm Springs Road in Springdale , or Razorback Road in Fayetteville .
The family-owned company was founded in 1955 by father-son team Jerry D . and Jack Sweetser . The pair specialized in commercial and residential construction . Current owner Billy Sweetser bought the company from his father , Jerry , in 2010 . Today , Sweetser Construction is dedicated to providing quality infrastructure construction services to all of Northwest Arkansas . The company has won several awards for the quality of its work .
Sweetser Construction employs about 65 people in more than half a dozen different types of jobs . You ’ ll find heavy equipment operators , concrete finishers , utility workers , dump truck drivers , diesel mechanics , estimators and even accountants among the many team members .
“ We need field employees ,” Sweetser explains . “ We often have trouble finding people with the skills to fill those positions .” That ’ s why the company will help new employees who are starting out learn what they need to know . “ New employees can learn on the job for most positions ,” Sweetser says . The company also offers summer apprenticeship programs for field crew members who may still be in school .
Some positions at Sweetser Construction require technical certifications . For example , a diesel mechanic needs to be certified in heavy equipment maintenance . Dump truck drivers need a Class B commercial driver ’ s license and at least six months of construction work experience . You can earn certifications by taking classes at a technical school . No matter what kind of job you have at Sweetser Construction , you must be dependable , have a positive attitude , good work ethic and be able to follow instructions .
70 | SPRINGDALE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE