Jigsaw Construction is adopting a new digital, paperless way of doing business, with the help of training funded by the Eastern Kentucky’s Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. (EKCEP).

The Pikeville mining construction and civil engineering company is now in the process of digitalizing its entire operation from the ground up. Rusty Justice, owner and operator of Jigsaw Construction, said the new approach will help the company stay competitive, especially since Jigsaw employees are getting the training they need to put them ahead of the curve.

“This will improve productivity by 50 percent,” Justice said, grinning.

Jigsaw’s field personnel will be using laptops and other telecommunications devices to communicate with the main office.  They will be able to transmit information from the field to the office and back to the customer in the field in minutes.  Previously this process could take days or weeks. 

Although Justice sees this as an opportunity, he also recognizes that the change is necessary if Jigsaw is to remain competitive with larger companies. Jigsaw’s customers are requiring the new methods.

The staff training in the new software and production methods is being funded by EKCEP’s Workforce Investment Act program, provided locally under contract by the Big Sandy Area Community Action Program.

“This allows us to accelerate our training schedule and skills development in a way that will help us remain competitive in the future,” Justice said.

Justice believes that maintaining his current staff and hiring educated, young, tech-savvy workers will improve his business model and help keep Jigsaw’s competitive edge.

Jigsaw is able to track what equipment is running, how long, and even gauge what driver performs best in what machine.

“We are even implementing new accounting software that uses a dynamic costing system versus a static system. We are dealing in real time numbers,” said Justice.

“There is no such thing as a low skilled miner,” Justice said. “Operators, surveyors, all the people involved are fundamentally important to the business.”

Jigsaw Construction started 32 years ago as an excavating and mining company. They are a nationwide distributor of a hydrocarbon solidifier and have a street sweeping component.

Because they have been in business for such a long time, Jigsaw also realizes the importance of community service.

“We do all kinds of community service as well.  We have provided clean up for the recent flood in Pike County,” said Justice.

To find out more about services EKCEP can provide to employers and job seekers, visit the website at www.ekcep.org,  visit EKCEP on facebook at www.facebook.com/ekcep, or call Crawford Blakeman, Business Solutions Manager, at (606) 436-5171.