MEET THE PRO: Aaron Sherrill, Industrial Maintenance

By Arkansas Next on Monday, October 25, 2021

Jacob Slaton

Hometown: Dyess
Age: 21

Where I trained: Arkansas Northeastern College Technical Center

What I earned: Certificate in welding, certificate in industrial electrical systems and an associate degree in steel-related technology

Job title: Maintenance electrician
Employer: Nucor Yamato Steel

Aaron Sherrill has always worked with his hands and never wanted to be a “pencil pusher.” He loves the people he works with and that every day has a new challenge for him to take on.

“I like that there is no repetitive work,” Aaron says. “It is always something new — something different every day.”

Aaron spends his days performing preventative maintenance on overhead bridge cranes, as well as repairing them when they break down. This requires him to problem solve to figure out the puzzle of the crane’s needs for repair. Sometimes, this means he is out working in the heat of the day, but he doesn’t mind.

He got the hands-on experience he needed in the field while attending Arkansas Northeastern College’s internship program.

"I like that there is no repetitive work. It is always something new — something different every day." – Aaron

WHAT DOES A MAINTENANCE ELECTRICIAN DO?

Inspect, troubleshoot and repair overhead bridge cranes.

Responsibilities

  • Performing preventative maintenance on overhead bridge cranes — everything from shipping cranes to mill cranes to hot liquid steel cranes
  • Performing crane inspections ensuring that the crane is safe to run
  • Troubleshooting
  • Repairing the cranes when they go down

Education needed: A certificate and on-the-job training, and some states require an occupational license

Jacob Slaton


Job Outlook

14% expected growth in Arkansas by 2028

1,250 jobs in Arkansas by 2028

120 average annual job openings in Arkansas

This option is for you if

  • You are detail-oriented
  • You have steady hands
  • You’re a hard worker
  • You don’t mind the heat
  • You're a problem-solver

High-end earners (top 10%) make
$73,400

Median wages in Arkansas
$48,560 Annual
$23.34 Hourly


START YOUR TRAINING
• Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation
• Arkansas Northeastern College
• Arkansas State University–Beebe
• Arkansas State University–Mid-South
• Arkansas State University–Mountain Home
• Arkansas State University–Newport
• Arkansas Tech University–Ozark
• Arkansas State University–Three Rivers
• Black River Technical College
• Business & Industry Training
• Cargill
• East Arkansas Community College
• Lexicon Inc.
• National Park College
• Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas
• Simmons Foods
• Southern Arkansas University Tech
• Tyson Foods Inc.
• UAM College of Technology–Crossett
• University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville
• University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton
• University of Arkansas Hope–Texarkana

READY TO HIRE YOU
• ABB Motors & Mechanical Inc.
• Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation
• Cargill
• Central Moloney Inc.
• Hytrol
• Koontz Electric
• Lexicon Inc.
• McGeorge Contracting Company
• McKee Foods Corporation
• OK Foods
• Pace Industries
• Simmons Foods
• Tyson Foods Inc.
• Welsco

Sources: bls.gov and careeronestop.org


BOOMING ARKANSAS INDUSTRIES