CO-OP PROGRAM

Testimonials

“My work experience with Advance Testing Company was great.”

My work experience with Advance Testing Company was great. I had the opportunity to spend an entire summer working at Advanced Testing. This was by far the best internship I’ve had. I was able to get my ACI certification and also my OSHA 10 hour on top of the OSHA 30 hour I already had. And all these classes and certifications were all paid for by Advance Testing Company. I gained a whole lot of experience being out in the field, and everyone at Advance were always more than happy to help me when I needed it. If giving another opportunity at Advance Testing Company I will definitely take advantage of it.

Gilbert Boteng
Summer 2020 Co-op, Engineering Technician (Asphalt Department)
Alfred State College, Construction Management

“The training and certifications earned before starting work also hold up outside of Advance Testing, so you don’t have to be trained for the same certifications if you apply to work with another company.”

My co-op experience with Advance Testing was a rather enjoyable one. The amount of training they provide before going out into the field ensures that you will know everything necessary to do your job. The training and certifications earned before starting work also hold up outside of Advance Testing, so you don’t have to be trained for the same certifications if you apply to work with another company. This is all provided for by Advance with no cost to you, which is an amazing opportunity. Even during the COVID-19 outbreak, the training and certification courses were continued through Zoom meetings after large group meetings were deemed too hazardous, allowing training to continue but keeping their employees safe.

The housing provided was adequate, with a large living space capable of reasonably keeping a large amount of people under one roof, with several bedrooms, bathrooms, and a kitchen with much storage space. Advance also maintains most needs of any residents, fixing most problems that may arise, asking for ways to improve the living conditions, and provides necessities. Once the outbreak became a health concern for the residents, Advance took extra precautionary measures to ensure their safety. Dishes were replaced with paper bowls and plates, cutlery with their plastic alternatives, and a weekly cleaning crew was hired to do extra housekeeping to reduce risk to residents. Everyone was provided their own room when possible, with roommates having sectioned-off rooms to promote social distancing, making for a very safe home environment.

There are many different positions available to employees after their training, depending on what certifications you have completed. The most common work I did was density testing during road paving projects, which involved driving to paving sites and monitoring the compaction of the asphalt as it was being laid to ensure quality work was being done by the paving crew. Working on multiple different projects meant adapting my schedule driving distance and start times, but one project usually lasts a decent amount of time (upwards of 2 weeks), so there was not an excessive amount of change.

Ben Bawden
February-August 2020 Co-op, Engineering Technician (Asphalt Department)
Rochester Institute of Technology, Civil Engineering Technology

“Advance Testing provides a unique opportunity and perspective in the construction industry”

Advance Testing provides a unique opportunity and perspective in the construction industry. The company has taught my fellow peers and I the extent of testing that needs to be done in every part of the construction phase which is talked very little about in an undergraduate college program. Advance Testing does not just provide valuable experience but the people that work there are friendly and approachable too. I worked on a larger project with a team of testers while I was there. My foreman was always there to help me if I did not know what to do and I never felt unsure about my tasks. My co-workers were also there to help me. This is not your typical construction job where you are building. This Co-op ensures that all the specifications of a job are done right and to code. I enjoyed my last 2020 summer at advance testing and it was the co-workers that made it enjoyable for me.

Peter Reid
Summer 2020 Co-op, Engineering Technician (Building Department)
SUNY Environmental School of Forestry, Construction Management