Tell us about your company:
Vulcan Materials Company is the nation’s largest producer of construction aggregates — primarily crushed stone, sand and gravel — and a major producer of aggregate-based construction materials including asphalt and ready-mixed concrete. Our coast-to-coast footprint and strategic distribution network align with and serve the nation’s growth centers. We are headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama.
Vulcan has over 400 active aggregates facilities, 70 asphalt facilities and 240 concrete facilities, which also consume aggregates. All are located in the U.S. except for our two large quarries and marine terminals on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, and Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. The products from this facility are primarily exported by ship to the U.S. Gulf Coast, where quality stone cannot be mined locally.
What we produce is used in nearly all forms of construction. In particular, large quantities of aggregates are used to build and repair valuable infrastructure such as roads, bridges, waterworks and ports, and to construct buildings both residential and nonresidential, such as manufacturing facilities, office buildings, schools, hospitals and churches.
How long have you been working with Birmingham Promise and why do you participate?
Vulcan Materials partnered with the Birmingham Promise program in 2021 to provide internship opportunities to students interested in entering the workforce immediately after graduation. Through this program, Vulcan gains a cooperative relationship with the community that builds social networks and awareness regarding what services our company provides and the impact we have in the community.
What return on your investment would you like to see?
Vulcan’s primary goal during this partnership is to provide students with work experience that increases their skill level and prepares them for the workforce. In return, we receive increased community awareness and gratitude from the students. We look to make a long-lasting impression on the students and also within the community.
What do you hope students receive from an internship with you?
Our goal from this partnership is to provide students with an in-depth work experience that provides a unique balance of what they have learned in the classroom and what can be expected when joining the workforce. With Vulcan, students are placed in an entry-level, part-time position paired with a full-time employee to provide a hands-on learning experience. This approach allows the student to gain practical experiences that can be used in the workforce.