Introducing “A Simple Cup of Coffee”

Mark P. Martinez

Welcome to the inaugural edition of “A Simple Cup of Coffee”, a blog initiated by Kristi Grassman of the Center of Excellence for Construction and written by yours truly. We hope to make this a monthly posting speaking to all professionals in the construction industry.

I should introduce myself - I am Mark P. Martinez, a Journeyman Roofer and currently the Executive Secretary of the Pierce County Building & Construction Trades Council in Tacoma, WA. The Council represents 18 construction craft unions with a combined membership of around 8,000 of the best trained, most professional, highly skilled craftworkers in the construction industry. Yeah, I’m biased but it’s my blog.

I started my registered apprenticeship in the summer of 1976 and have been learning ever since. I worked with the tools for 20 years, ran the local Roofers Union for 10 years and have been in my current position for 15 years. All the time picking up new skills and experiences, both within and outside the construction industry.

With Apprenticeship Week coming up, I wanted to talk about an important part of the apprenticeship experience, specifically Mentorship. Mentorship is a key component of training in our system. Sometimes it is formal, like being

assigned an apprentice on a project. I believe apprentices that develop a strong, formal mentor relationship with an experienced craftsman, journey-out with better technical and interpersonal skills. With the continuing wave of retirements, the industry will be in greater need of construction professionals stepping into a mentoring role.

But let’s not diminish the importance of informal mentorship, like an employer encouraging you to take a class on a new work process, or a foreman asking you to take a couple of guys with you to clean up a job, or a co-worker showing you an easier way of performing the work. That small interaction may be the decision point an apprentice is looking for to stay in the industry.

Mentorships may result in long term friendships or be a once in a lifetime moment. The trick is to recognize the value and importance of the mentor and the message.

I can tell you the exact moments of my professional life changes. I have learned to listen for the not so innocent question good mentors ask when they want to open doors for you. It may come from someone close to you or someone out of left field. The question? “Hey, can I buy you a cup of coffee? I want to talk to you about something”.

From being asked to run for union office, become an apprenticeship instructor, campaign for the state legislature (I lost), or put my name in the hat to administer the Building Trades Council, there was someone who sat me down with a cup of coffee to talk about the future. My mentors answered questions, pushed, cajoled, and forced me out of my comfort zone to accept new challenges. Though I’m sure I cursed them along the way, I cannot thank them enough for their encouragement, wisdom, and friendship.

I have given quite a few speeches to graduating apprentices. I talk about the usual things, the pride of the craft, the status they have earned within the industry, their lifelong commitment to the work they do. I always end with this plea: “Be that journeyman/journeywoman you wanted teaching you. Be willing to give away your skills and teach the apprentices on your crew. They are the future of construction”.

My entire career has been in the Construction Industry. I believe it to be the last industry sector in the United States that values skills, ability, and hard work more than titles and diplomas. So, I have an assignment from one old journeyman to all industry professionals, either in the office, in the field, or in the classroom. Be that mentor. Hand down your skills, experience and know how. And buy that cup of coffee. It is the best investment you will make for a stronger construction industry.

by Mark P. Martinez