Building the Future of Safety: Inside AWP’s Co-Op Program

For college students looking for more than just a summer internship, the AWP Safety co-op program offers the opportunity to gain real, hands-on experience with an employer committed to investing in its people.  

For Mason McElroy and Brian Knuth, who are both in the middle of the co-op program, it’s a launchpad into leadership—and a hands-on education in what it takes to keep people safe on the road and job site.

From Intern to Supervisor

When you think of traffic control, you might picture someone directing traffic at a construction site. But behind the scenes at AWP Safety, there is a different picture—one filled with ownership, trust, teamwork, and a commitment to customer satisfaction. That’s the environment that Mason McElroy and Brian Knuth are experiencing firsthand as part of the company’s co-op program.

The rotational program completed over two summers offers the opportunity for current college students to do work that matters across AWP Safety’s different departments—and when they graduate, to step into management roles as field supervisors.

McElroy, a business management major at Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio, found AWP Safety by chance through a LinkedIn posting.

 

It was a two-year program, and I knew I wanted something that would help me mature—not just as a person but as a professional. I wanted to learn operations from the ground up.”

Knuth, who’s studying operations and supply chain management at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, connected with AWP at a career fair. What stood out wasn’t just the job, it was the people. “Other recruiters felt transactional. But with AWP Safety, it was personal from the start,” he said.

Both McElroy and Knuth say they joined the company not just to build their resumes, but to do meaningful work—and that’s exactly what they’ve gotten.

Real World Experience That Matters

Unlike many traditional internship programs where students often spend their days on “busy work,” co-op participants are doing real work that impacts customers and operations across the company.

McElroy has been leading a customer service project focused on improving on-time arrivals for AWP Safety’s largest accounts. “I’m tracking job site arrival times and proactively contacting customers like Verizon if we’re going to be delayed,” he said. “It’s about staying ahead of the curve and communicating with customers before we get to the job.”  

Knuth has worked on a strategic expansion project—analyzing job data across Alabama and proposing locations for future offices to reduce travel costs and better serve clients. Co-ops also receive intensive field instruction in flagging operations and traffic control management, which Knuth has enjoyed.

 

 

“It’s been a treat. It’s boots on the ground, and I’m actively involved.” 

 

Understanding CUstomer Needs

Both McElroy and Knuth have spent time in the field as Protectors where they’ve gained real-world experience that will pay dividends in their future leadership roles. Working across a variety of job sites has given them a unique view into customer pain points—and prepares them to lead teams who can fix them.

Both McElroy and Knuth recognize the customer relationships they’ve started to build, and how they could grow into long-term partnerships once they’ve graduated. “I try to keep it simple and build rapport,” McElroy said. “If we do a good job, they’re going to want to continue to work with us, and that means establishing a relationship from the start.”

A SPringboard into Leadership

The co-op program is designed to create a pathway into field supervision and, eventually, senior leadership. Next summer, both co-ops will spend seven weeks as assistant field supervisors, leading crews and making critical decisions on the ground.

“I know it will take time to build mastery in operations, and AWP Safety is a great place to do that,” McElroy said. “I’m ready to do whatever I can to help the team. I feel confident stepping into the role because of everything I’ve learned.”

For Knuth, the appeal of operations is how much it touches. “You’re not confined to one department,” he said. “If I ever become a CEO, this is the foundation I’d want.”

Investing in the Future – And In Safety

AWP Safety is in the middle of a company-wide digital transformation, becoming more tech-driven and efficient while staying focused on keeping people safe. And McElroy and Knuth are part of that.

“AFADs—Automated Flagger Assistance Devices—are a big innovation,” McElroy said. “This is about as safe as you can get in terms of using equipment out in the field. It’s safer for us and our customers.”

Knuth also pointed to technology like Samsara, which helps monitor driver behavior and improve safety in the field. “You don’t see other traffic control companies using this kind of tech,” he said. “AWP Safety is ahead of the curve.”

As young professionals, both say that AWP’s approach to digital transformation, especially consolidating systems to improve communication and efficiency, could be a major draw for other young people. “Streamlining everything into one system is going to make a huge difference, both for internal operations and customer service,” McElroy said.

A Culture Built on Ownership, Teamwork and Trust

The co-op program doesn’t just build skills—it fosters a culture of collaboration and respect.

“We’re constantly texting or calling each other,” McElroy said of working with Knuth. “We bounce ideas off each other, challenge each other. I couldn’t have done this without him.”

That same spirit extends across their teams. “Everybody knows that each person is working as hard as they can, which is something you don’t always see,” Knuth said. “People go really above and beyond because they want to.”

For AWP Safety, the co-op program is about investing in the next generation of safety operations leaders—for the company and the industry.

“To anyone considering this path: You won’t just learn about safety,” Knuth said. “You’ll learn how to lead.”

Learn more about our early career and internship opportunities here.

Top Photo: Intern Brian Knuth is pictured with AWP Safety experts John Pass, field supervisor; Erica Mosely, field supervisor; Knuth; Robert Hudson, scheduler;  Johnny Jones, field supervisor; and Ganthar Bergamasco, field supervisor.