At Clouse Construction, we believe a job should lead somewhere.

For us, that means creating real opportunities for people to learn, grow, and build a long-term career, not just fill a role. Whether someone is just getting started, exploring the industry during school, or ready to take the next step into leadership, we’ve built a path that supports that growth every step of the way.

And one of the best ways to see that in action is through the people on our team.

Starting the Journey

There’s no single path into the construction industry, and we see that every day at Clouse Construction.

Some of our employees come to us through high school trade programs. Others are college students working during breaks. Some are simply looking for a career where they can work with their hands, learn something new, and see the results of their effort at the end of the day.

That was the case for Jacob Warnement.

“I actually started in nursing for a year,” Jacob said. “Then I switched to construction management. I was mowing yards in the summer, and someone I worked for knew Clouse Construction and helped me get connected.”

What started as work during school breaks turned into something more.

“When COVID hit, and I wasn’t going back to school in person, they hired me full-time,” he said. “That’s how I got here.”

Learning While Doing

At Clouse Construction, learning doesn’t happen only in a classroom. It happens on the job, side by side with experienced team members.

Our nationally accredited apprenticeship program is one example of that commitment. Employees gain hands-on experience while also building technical knowledge, earning certifications like welding and a CDL along the way. It’s a structured path, but it’s also practical, focused on what people actually need to succeed in the field.

But beyond formal programs, a lot of growth happens through day-to-day mentorship.

Mentorship That Builds Confidence

Eric Magers has been part of Clouse Construction for over 20 years and has more than 30 years of experience in construction. He also leads our apprenticeship program and has spent years training the next generation of skilled workers.

Jacob was one of those apprentices.

“We started in the classroom,” Eric said. “He went through the apprenticeship program, and I got to see how he worked and how he thought.”

Over time, Eric recognized something more.

“I could see he had leadership skills,” Eric said. “So when the opportunity came up, I asked to bring him onto this job so I could help develop him into a supervisor.”

Today, the two are working together on a large, complex job site—one that requires coordination across multiple buildings, crews, and subcontractors.

The mentorship is not theoretical. It is built into the work itself.

“When he first got here, I started with the basics—logistics, paperwork, safety, how the job runs,” Eric explained. “Then, as he got comfortable, I gave him more responsibility. And then more.”

Now, Jacob is handling daily reports, coordinating documentation, and fielding calls from subcontractors.

“That’s part of the process,” Eric said. “You don’t just tell someone what to do. You show them, you explain it, and then you let them take ownership.”

A Different Kind of Leadership

For Eric, mentorship is closely tied to how he views leadership.

“I am not anybody’s boss,” he said. “I am their leader. There’s a big difference.”

To him, leadership means taking responsibility.

“If something goes wrong, it’s my fault,” he said. “That means I didn’t give them the right information or set them up the right way.”

That mindset shapes how he works with Jacob and others on the team.

Jacob sees the impact of that approach every day.

“He’s patient with everybody,” Jacob said. “There’s no such thing as a stupid question with him. He’ll take the time to explain it and make sure you understand before you go back out there.”

That kind of support builds confidence, especially for someone stepping into a larger role.

Growing Into the Next Role

Jacob has already begun that transition.

Recently moved into a supervisor role, he is continuing to build his skills while gaining experience in leadership.

“There were definitely things at the beginning where I thought, how does he know that right off the top of his head?” Jacob said. “But over time, you start to pick that up just by being around it and doing it.”

That progression is intentional.

At Clouse Construction, we believe strong leaders are developed through experience, not rushed into position.

“I like being out on the job site,” he said. “I feel like I’m too young to be sitting behind a computer all day. I still want to learn what’s going on out here.”

That decision reflects something we value as a company: taking the time to learn the work from the ground up.

“It makes him more well-rounded,” Eric said. “He’ll understand the field, the people, and how everything actually comes together. That makes a better leader in the long run.”

Building the Future from Within

At Clouse Construction, developing employees internally is not just about individual success. It is about the future of the company.

Years ago, Eric recognized what many in the industry are facing now: experienced workers will eventually retire, and companies need to be ready with the next generation.

“We knew we needed to bring younger people in and start developing them,” he said. “You can’t wait until you need them. You have to build that pipeline ahead of time.”

That is exactly what Clouse Construction has done.

Through programs like Draft Day, apprenticeship opportunities, and on-the-job mentorship, we are creating a clear path for people to enter the industry, build skills, and grow into leadership roles over time.

And for many, that path does not stop with their own success.

“I’d like to be a mentor someday,” Jacob said. “Like he is.”

A Place to Build More Than a Career

At Clouse Construction, we are proud of the work we build. But we are just as proud of the people behind it.

Because when someone joins our team, they are not just taking a job. They are stepping into an environment where they can learn, grow, and build something lasting—for themselves and for the future of the company.

If you are looking for a place where you can develop your skills, take on new challenges, and grow into a leadership role, we invite you to explore a career path at Clouse Construction. Whether you are just getting started or ready for your next step, there is an opportunity here to build something meaningful.

And we are building that future every day.

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