Careers within the Bitumen / Asphalt Industry

1. Careers within the Bitumen / Asphalt Industry

2. Overview • Bitumen Asphalt Industry – Six sectors • Administration • Engineering • Management • Plant Crew • Technologists • Paving Crew

3. Administration • Behind the scenes at every thriving Asphalt company is a team of support staff. From answering phones to scheduling shipments to maintaining critical records, their role is essential to the industry’s success. Their attention to detail and flexible collaborative spirit have paved the way for many construction achievements. Bookkeepers, secretaries, administrative assistants, customer service reps – they all make sure the fast-paced road construction business stays efficient and moving ahead. • Computer skills • Communication skills • Initiative • Team player

4. Engineering • Every civilization, ancient and modern, has relied on engineers to enhance the environment. From the first roads built from broken stones and hot asphalt to today’s streamlined superhighways, the work of engineers has contributed to tremendous progress in commerce and travel. Decades of research and technology have gone into creating our transportation network. Engineers take very seriously their commitment to accuracy and professional standards to ensure public safety and welfare. • Typical engineering positions are: • Civil Engineer • Senior Executive • Technical Director

5. Management • As in any other business, leadership is key to success in the asphalt industry. Often rising through the ranks of road and plant crews, managers in asphalt facilities throughout the country are committed to running efficient, profitable businesses by fulfilling a critical need. They recognise the demand for high-quality pavements for public infrastructure as well as private construction. And they are meeting that demand with smart solutions and superior service. • Typical management position are: • Senior Executive • General Manager • Sales Manager • Quality Control Manager • Plant Superintendent

6. Plant Crew • It takes a team effort to produce the high-quality asphalt pavement that delivers a country’s much needed roads. From loading the right aggregate mix to testing material samples for quality control, every step in the production process is crucial to the finished product. Plant crews work to continuously improve the equipment and methods to turn out the best paving materials. They can proudly point to the majority of our roads as proof of their hard work. • Typical plant positions are: • Plant Crew Member • Plant Operator • Loader Operator • Plant Foreman • Plant Supervisor • Quality Control Technician - Plant

7. Technologists • What motivates some asphalt professionals is the science behind it. Some of the original innovators in asphalt pavement history were chemists and geologists aiming to devise just the right kind of aggregate and bitumen. Through the years numerous asphalt formulas have been created for different applications, and scientists continue to improve on all aspects of asphalt technology – from environmental protection to cost efficiency. They pursue this important work in university laboratories, at technical institutes, at commercial laboratories and at local asphalt facilities. • Typical research positions are: • Quality Control Technician – Site Lab • Quality Control Technician – Plant lab • Quality Control Manager • Technical Director

8. Paving Crew • Working on-site at a road paving project is an intricate and rewarding experience. After all the planning, the lobbying, the certifications and administrative work, asphalt road crew members are the true heroes in the industry. Without their skill and knowledge of road paving and construction, the behind-the-scenes work would go to waste. Many generations have worked on the road system and have encouraged their children and grandchildren to follow their footsteps in the industry. • Typical crew positions are: • Material Transfer Vehicle Operator • Screed Operator • Paving Supervisor • Quality Control Technician – Pavement • Roller Operator • Paving Foremen • Paver Operator

9. Conclusion Can you think of any career that you will see the benefits EVERY TIME you step outside?