Opening Doors to Opportunity for Utah’s Future Workforce

Building the future starts with inspiring the next generation. Staker Parson Materials & Construction (Staker Parson) – in conjunction with the Utah Asphalt Pavement Association (UAPA) – is working hard to spark interest in meaningful careers that shape communities, power infrastructure and drive innovation throughout the construction and mining industries. 

To connect with prospective students, Staker Parson and UAPA are working with school districts throughout Utah to develop hands-on internship programs that will give high school students direct exposure to the construction and mining industries. Whether their interests lie in business, science, communications, technology, legal affairs, environmental stewardship, project management, or hands-on field operations, students can find meaningful and rewarding careers in the industry. 

The initiative kicked off last month with a behind-the-scenes tour of Staker Parson’s Beck Street operations for school district leaders and teachers. The visit was designed to help educators identify meaningful experiences that could be incorporated into future student internships and career exploration programs. 

The group explored the dispatch center that keeps concrete deliveries moving efficiently to jobsites, witnessed a controlled blast and learned about the extensive safety measures and community outreach efforts that support the operation and watched Quality Control technicians measure and test asphalt samples to verify compliance with industry standards. 

From the educators’ perspective, the tour provided valuable insight into the wide range of career opportunities available within the construction industry, helping them better guide students as they explore future career paths. It also offered a deeper understanding of the skills and experiences students need to successfully transition into the workforce. For Staker Parson, the visit provided an opportunity to hear directly from school leaders about the types of experiences and exposure students find most meaningful when considering potential careers. 

While the internship program is still in its early stages, the goal is clear: to create meaningful connections between students and an industry filled with opportunity. By partnering with educators to showcase the diverse careers available in construction and mining, Staker Parson and UAPA are helping build a pipeline of future talent that will continue shaping Utah’s communities for years to come.