2017 Remodeling 550 Profile
AC Ernst Building Corp.
Oviedo, Fla.
2017 Rank: 159 (Full Service)
“Stay in school” is often directed at kids under 18, but Drew Ernst is making sure the sentiment rings true for adults, too. His company offers full tuition reimbursement as one of its benefits. Ernst has been in business for 11 years and has offered tuition reimbursement for five.
Even before starting his own company, Ernst who holds an A.S. in architecture and a Bachelor of Applied Science in business management, knew he wanted to offer tuition reimbursement to employees because his previous employers had offered the benefit. “But [at those companies], there were so many hoops to jump through that I quit trying,” Ernst adds. “It just wasn’t attainable.”
His program has fewer obstacles. To be eligible for the program, an employee must have worked at AC Ernst for at least six months. They must maintain a 3.0 GPA, and must be pursuing degrees in a field related to the remodeling industry.
Ernst will pay for every class that employees must take to earn their degrees, at both two- and four-year schools. He feels that getting an education is an important part of the construction industry, especially if workers want to do more project or business management than physical building.
Though Ernst says it’s too soon to tell, he’s hoping the program will help him retain employees. “I want my guys to stay with me as long as they can. And if [this program] changes their desire to stay, that’s great.”
