millwright

ironworker

rigger

journeyperson carpenter

general foreman

Wanzek Construction

Wanzek was based out of North Dakota so I moved from Houston and began to help work on a project called "Spiritwood Station" a massive coal power plant built in Sprirtwood ND. I was materials Manager/Buyer for this company, a typical day was on the phone and email getting bids from suppliers for different types of industrial items like concentric swages and pipe nipples and I would buy lots of pipe, I ran into many challenges sense Spotswood is in the middle of no where so it took extra time to get anything shipped there in time,
I remember driving in my car to pick up a blind flange from Minot, ND in the snow. I loved what did with Wanzek I had a lot of responsibility with them but when I got an offer to work for S&B and move back home to Houston I Took it, 
    Hardest part was the distance we had from all other towns so it was hard to get materials shipped on time,
    I enjoyed the experience of seeing a project start up from nothing and then see it get complete and feeling the satisfaction of making part of that happen.

Served as Lead Project Engineer on a large scale wind energy project. Typical duties included interaction with client/subcontractor representatives, review of engineering documents, field inspection, schedule updates, invoice review and interacting with the project field engineering group.

I found that my co workers were well qualified personnel and that there was a hard working mentality within the organization. The management appreciated the work of employees at every level.

My position as Lead Project Engineer was challenging and required management of many different project aspects simultaneously. I was required to monitor and track all aspects of the field engineering and quality control programs and manage field engineering staff. Keeping up with all the tasks expected of the position was a challenge but learning about myself, my positive attributes and my limitations was extremely rewarding and beneficial.

In two weeks of "on Boarding" I had less than 1 hour of time spent with management, more time and effort was spent on my dismissal, then on making sure I understood what was expected and training me. I had no warnings or time to correct the problems, and before warned they do not provide your last paycheck at time of dismissal. I had better management at other companies like "McDonald's". Wanzek does not care about there employees only that there employees care about the management and give them good reviews. They have had more recordable injuries in the past 5 months then in the last two years. this says even more about the upper management. If you take a job with Wanzek I would keep looking for your next one you wouldn't last long. Management hires friends from other companies making the environment very "cliquish".


If I could go back to the time of accepting the offer I would have said NO! with the information I now have.

This is an outstanding company if you are new to the industry and looking to gain hands-on experience or pay off outstanding debts, but other than that, steer clear. As a salary employee, you are paid 8 hours a day, M-F. They tell you that you will occasionally have to work late, and that you’ll have weekends off. Of the 4 projects that I have worked on, not once has this proved to be true. You will work 10-12+ hours a day, and will be asked to come in every Saturday, even some Sundays with zero compensation because you are labeled as an “exempt” employee for overtime. Often, sites will do 12 days on, 1 day off. They will also block your rotations if the site is busy, even if it doesn’t apply to your discipline or scope of work.

Meeting starts at 7am typically. Yellow vest are below orange vest/foreman/superintendent they're kinda free to do as they please. 
They preach safety, but had a crane totaled on our site due to negligence, luckily no one died. So safety actually got implemented rather than preached. 
Probably the worst upper management I've ever been apart of in any company. CM2&3 and PM are about useless. They do absolutely nothing and care about no one. If you get on a project and realize that transfer out early or quit as you'll be miserable for the entire project. 
They cook out once a week in the office and its steaks/ribs for orange vest, but yet we yellow vest went almost 4 moths without anything. Finally got pizza one week and hot dogs/burgers a couple weeks later. Just goes to show they don't care about you. 
Enjoyable part is guys you work with, pay is decent, per diem is ok if you're in a camper.

Due to corporate’s bad business decisions & purchasing a failing company how now put every dedicated Wanzek employee at high risk. Zero regard from the incompetent that made the decisions or the other corporate employees that bring zero $ into the company; very quick to throw the loyal-hard working employees that work their butt off every day, away from their family to earn this company $ and build their reputation , out like trash due to their bad business decisions. They shove their “core values” down our throats every morning during morning meeting but corporate honors NONE of them. Don’t walk….RUN to their biggest competitor(s). Corporate & “key decision makers” have ruined the reputation their employees that EARN their $$$$ and reputation worked so hard, faithfully, to build. They DO NOT value you, your time, or your family. No matter what they preach. 

The CM’s & most Foreman I worked with were great. Sadly, the CM’s down are in the same boat as the bottom man on the Totem pole. 

Wanzak is focused on making money at all costs. Personal safety was a large concern but the focus was on fines or non compliance rather than real employee concern. There was a sense of everyone is out to get you with no reason why. Company very disjointed with two many devisions and locations. To provide any sense of belonging or support of business practices. Information about the engagements was lorded over, the staff / management created power and distrust. In the end the clients suffer. Their customer satisfaction rates are low. They land work due to size and bonding abilities not because they are skilled or care to do good work.  They attract very competent people who have strong work ethics and they for a short time keep quality up until they cycle out for better circumstances.  I met a lot of good quality friends. It was my only take away from my time there.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The work atmosphere is awesome. As well as plenty of job perks. Like PTO and room for raises always. I highly recommend this company. I’ve been with them for going on 3 years and I love it.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Nothing is really stressful as long as everyone does his or her part. Most of the work is due able without to my much stress or strain.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
I love the work culture. Plenty of room to grow with in company. The people are the best part. Meeting people from different backgrounds and ethnicity’s. I bleed Blue

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Come in attend morning safety meeting where we go over construction safety topics and concerns. Which is followed by stretch and flex. After we then meet with our respected crafts and go over daily job assignments bye reviewing the PTP. Then off to perform our task

This company, especially now being IEA, has absolutely no regard for employees and their families. They need to cut back on budgets? They will cut their “non essential” employees out. managers, directors, VPs not getting a bonus? Once again, “non essential” employees- out. They don’t care about the time of year, the situation you might be in at home.. they don’t give a care in this world about you or your family. So devote yourself to a family-oriented company. If renewables is your thing, go to a competitor. They are all better than Wanzek. Office employees aren’t safe, you better believe if you’re in the field, you are just another hand. This company doesn’t deserve you. Go elsewhere. If you’re an employee and need to resign, don’t grant them a 2 week notice, leave the day you tell them. When they lay people off they tell them on a random Tuesday/Thursday morning. No heads up no time to pack. They want you out like if you committed a terminal offense. Again, no regard for employees. 

I worked for Wanzik in Oregon,Utah,Wyoming and North Dakota.They have the best management that includes the whole jobsite in the morning.They spell out the concrete trucks paths, What each subs goals are and travel restrictions due to equipment. TheN they people tell management what is going to happen to their own projected goals. When they hear from the other subs and spell out what is going to happen because of competing space for lifts and restrictions on pathways due to the concrete trucks. Then Management deletes some trades goals in the same area as others and comes up with a plan that works for all.Solving problems before they happen and have a safe and productive day. The only company that did not wait until the problems were brought to their attention when it was to late with a lot of lost time incurred.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Millwright 8 salaries reported	$25.38 per hour
Ironworker 9 salaries reported	$24.11 per hour
Rigger 6 salaries reported	$28.75 per hour
Journeyperson carpenter 6 salaries reported	$27.33 per hour
General foreman 2 salaries reported	$32.50 per hour

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