The Arcosa Leadership, Exploration, and Development (LEAD) program, launched in 2022, was developed to identify high-performing, high-potential internal talent who have demonstrated broader leadership skills in plant management, and to grow our bench of qualified future leaders. The program includes concrete development plans for construction materials and manufacturing tracks, with emphasis on leadership growth.

Employees selected for the cohort participate in a full slate of development activities, including:

• Skills and gap assessments
• Development plans for soft and technical skills
• Group experiences with visits to plant locations
• One-on-one mentorship

The inaugural class cohort graduated in 2023, with more than 50% of participants earning subsequent promotions to plant leadership roles.

In 2024, we introduced our 2nd LEAD cohort. The program began with an in-person retreat which included engaging business strategy discussions, key concept learnings from corporate and business leaders, and tours of nearby plant and mine sites. Over the next 12 months, our future leaders will complete the professional development activities identified through the program, integrating new knowledge into existing processes and daily activities. We are encouraged by the connections our leaders establish and the commitment they show to continuous improvement in their roles.

With significant growth in Arcosa businesses, ongoing leadership development remains essential to ensure sustainability in our workforce in the near- and long-term.

It started small. Under-the-radar small. The human resources (HR) team at Arcosa’s barge manufacturing plant in Missouri wanted to expand the number of applicants for welding positions at the plant, a decidedly important role for a steel manufacturing facility. The innovative HR team reached out to a local high school and arranged for the school’s job core class to come tour the plant. Next, they reached out to a local vocational college to see if the students would be interested in internships that could provide not only pay, but certification-critical experience and class credits. Three years later, the plant now partners with 7 area schools to provide tours, access to internships, and solid information about careers in welding. It started small but expanded to make a big impact at our plant and throughout the community.

Extra materials can clutter a warehouse and be a major source of pain for a purchasing group. At Arcosa’s Oklahoma wind tower manufacturing facility, obsolete materials became a chance to build a new pipeline for a future workforce. Last year, the plant donated weld wire to a local school to give back to the community. As they reached out to vocational training and technical schools in the area inquiring about interest in the materials, an idea was launched to pair the donation with an industry tour of the Arcosa plant. Now a regular occurrence, the plant tours are led by our plant experts, including our home-grown Weld Superintendent who champions the Arcosa weld school program and the employment opportunities available at the plant. To date we’ve coordinated donations with five area high school vocational programs and two technical school welding programs. Resourcefully turning scrap into opportunity is our sustainability strategy in action.

Separated by 500 miles, operating in separate segments and industries, our Oklahoma and Missouri plants embody Arcosa’s pursuit of inclusive social engagement that leads to a strong workforce, strong relationships, and strong communities.