Pub. 1 2018-2019 Issue 4

14 WHY SHOULD YOU CONSIDER A CAREER IN ASPHALT PAVEMENT? Money The industry provides high paying jobs for workers at every level. Workers on many asphalt pavement projects must be paid minimum wages that for most positions exceed $30 per hour. Job Security Asphalt pavements jobs cannot be outsourced to other coun- tries. Roads are built and maintained by people who live and work in the local community, there are miles and miles of roads in dire need of repair, and more workers are expected to retire than can be replaced in the near future. Opportunity Formal education is not a barrier to advancement. Asphalt pavement companies care more about desire to work and learn than degrees. Hard workers can get to top-level positions with or without formal education. Variety There are positions for employees who place asphalt pavement, prepare bids, administer contracts, test asphalt pavement in labs, manage projects, mix asphalt pavement, operate heavy equipment and trucks, fix equipment, advertise, and perform may other tasks. WHAT ARE SOME FACTS THAT YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT ASPHALT PAVEMENT? Asphalt pavement is essential to the economy. Every- thing in your home or apartment trav- eled over an asphalt road at some point. Most of our roads were built prior to 1980, are nearing the end (or are past) their expected life, and will need to rebuilt in the very near future. Smooth asphalt roads significantly reduce vehicle fuel use and wear - and - tear, and provide a surface that is quieter for drivers and surrounding communities. Asphalt pavement is the most recycled product in the United States by weight - all existing asphalt pavement can be ground up and reused in new asphalt pavement. Asphalt pavement is made of natural materials. The stone, sand, and gravel come from quarries, and the binder (the glue that holds everything to- gether) comes form naturally occurring deposits of the oil refining process.