A dozen years ago, Protective Coatings Supervisor Zach Santoyo was at a different place in his life – literally. He was living in his hometown of Tucson and had been promoted to the #2 person in the produce department at a grocery store. He’d worked in supermarkets since he was 16, and he liked it – but he knew it was just a job and definitely wasn’t something he looked forward to every day.

He’d tried other things. After graduating from high school, he headed to a community college to attend school and play baseball. It wasn’t long before he realized that he wasn’t really sure what he wanted to major in. He hadn’t found his path.

So, when a family friend, who happened to be a CAP plant electrician, suggested he apply for a job as a CAP apprentice in the Protective Coatings Department, he was intrigued. The position checked all the boxes – great benefits and healthcare, an increase in pay and growth opportunities. Santoyo had one concern: he didn’t have a background working in trades … or construction … or manual labor … or anything that involved technical skills. But Santoyo knew he was a hard worker and quick learner, so he took the leap.

After successfully navigating the interview process, including passing one of the most important qualifications – not being claustrophobic— he accepted the job and moved to Phoenix to start in CAP’s industrial coatings apprenticeship program. The industrial coatings apprenticeship program is unlike most at CAP in that it hires apprentices from outside the organization because traditionally there has been limited interest in the positions.

Like other apprenticeships at CAP, Santoyo spent the next four years learning his trade. It was intense and detailed in ways that he never imagined. It included 8,000 hours of on-the-job learning, 720 hours of related education, and 20 job training standards in tasks such as abrasive blasting, airless spray equipment and concrete coating.

“Being a coater is so much more than just grabbing a brush and putting paint on a wall or piece of equipment,” said Santoyo. “There is prep, inspection, coating, cleanup. We need to know about the different types of surfaces we coat and the different types of coatings we use.”

There is a saying on the wall in the Protective Coatings crew room: Painting is easy when you don’t know how, but very difficult when you do. For Santoyo, it was true.

But he embraced all the challenges and difficulties of this new opportunity and after about six months realized what an excellent choice he had made. At 23, he was surrounded by an incredible team of professionals who were focused on their craft and their careers. He was learning new skills and truly enjoyed coming to work.  

After Santoyo completed his apprenticeship, he found himself faced with yet another opportunity – he was now a mentor to others who were entering the apprenticeship program. He was able to share what he had learned, the pride he felt, and the professionalism he exhibited.

He joined the apprenticeship committee. Signed up to attend Supervisor Academy. And started realizing there were more career options at CAP.

In 2024, the supervisor of the department retired; Santoyo applied for the job and was selected to be the new supervisor. The onetime apprentice was now going to lead the team.

“Joining CAP as an apprentice really changed my entire life and opened up so many opportunities,” he said.

Zach Santoyo has found his path.