(WACO, Texas) – It was a whirlwind week for representatives of Kiewit Corp.
Representatives from the engineering and construction organization recently visited Texas State Technical College campuses in Abilene, Fort Bend County, Marshall, Sweetwater and Waco to discuss with Diesel Equipment students the company’s job benefits and opportunities across the globe.
“The big thing for you guys is there is plenty of opportunity,” said Carlos Gabriel Cambrelen, a workforce development manager at Kiewit. “The majority of the graduates from TSTC that we hire turn out to be our best workers.”
Eric Hornsby, a heavy-haul manager for Kiewit, and Cambrelen visited the new Diesel Power Technologies Center at TSTC’s Marshall campus, where they spoke with 41 students.
“If I could go back in time, I’d probably readjust and go to a school like this,” Hornsby told the Marshall campus students. “You should be very proud you get to have a facility like this to learn in.”
The visit to the Abilene campus was the first by an industry partner in the new Power and Mechanical Center. Cambrelen said he was impressed with the Diesel Equipment program’s lab and students.
The Abilene students likewise were impressed with the Kiewit presentation.
“The adventures and opportunities with the company sound limitless,” said Caleb Vines, of Abilene.
Mercedes Soto, also of Abilene, said having employer spotlights such as the one presented by Kiewit is a benefit for students.
“This was a great experience for me, and I am looking forward to more,” she said.
James Kotowicz, a Diesel Equipment instructor at TSTC’s Marshall campus, stressed the importance of the college’s employer spotlights.
“Employer spotlights give students meaningful exposure to real-world careers while building strong school-industry relationships,” he said. “These partnerships not only align technical training with workforce needs, but also create opportunities for donations and support that enhance student learning.”
Kiewit currently employs some 400 diesel mechanics nationwide but is looking to hire at least 200 more over the coming few years. While the company used to hire primarily straight from the market, they have shifted to a more school-based approach this year, with TSTC being one of its top picks.
“TSTC is one of only 10 schools nationwide we look to hire from,” Cambrelen said during a recent visit with students at TSTC’s Fort Bend County campus. “We’ve already hired three TSTC graduates this year and are looking to hire 15 more by January.”
Students at each campus were told to register for interviews at the upcoming job fairs in October if they were interested.
“If you are looking for a stable company, there is no better place,” Cambrelen said of Kiewit. “Even in 2008 and 2020, Kiewit was hiring when no one else was.”
To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.