Building Builders

Building Builders

Author: Joey Bulman

Culture from Within: How Donald Flooring Uses Mentorship to Build the Next Generation

by Joey Bulman

President – John Gillard (Sales & Project Manager); Mentee – Zeynep Polat (Project Coordinator); Mentee – Levi Nguyen (Project Coordinator); Mentor – Jennifer Seehra (Safety & Organizational Development Manager)

Mentorship is often viewed as a relationship between two people, but its impact is arguably strongest when it is woven into the fabric of a company’s culture.

This January, during Mentorship Month, we are spotlighting Donald Flooring, a company that has enrolled members of their team in the Building Builders mentorship program and applied it internally to drive professional development, safety awareness, and leadership skills.

While the BC Construction Association (BCCA) advocates for workforce development at a provincial level, the real work happens on the ground. It happens when leaders like John Gillard, the President of Donald Flooring, decide that investing in people is the only way to build a sustainable business.

“Employee mentorship is one of the most valuable investments an organization can make in its people,” John says. “When experienced team members guide newer or developing employees, the benefits ripple across individual careers, team culture, and overall business performance.”

The Structure of Internal Support

At Donald Flooring, this philosophy is put into practice by Jennifer Seehra, a Safety & Organizational Development Manager who has taken on the role of Mentor for two of her colleagues: Levi Nguyen and Zeynep Polat.

Jennifer sees mentorship as the bridge between self-directed ambition and professional reality. By using the Building Builders program, she supports Levi and Zeynep in creating clear, actionable roadmaps for their careers.

“We all grow in this process—investing time, sharing knowledge, and celebrating progress,” Jennifer explains. “It’s a privilege to have the support from John that allows me to take on the challenge of two Mentees and cheer them on as they grow into tomorrow’s leaders.”

Real Results for the Next Generation

Mentor – Jennifer Seehra, Safety & Organizational Development Manager
Mentee – Levi Nguyen, Project Coordinator – Tile

For Levi, a Tile & Stone Project Coordinator, the mentorship experience has been about cementing the fundamentals. His focus has been on estimating with confidence, construction safety, supporting his team, and making new industry connections.

“I really appreciate Jennifer’s guidance,” Levi shares. “Backed by the great support from John at Donald Flooring and on-going check-ins with Sue from Building Builders, [this] has been key to setting a solid career roadmap.”

Mentor – Jennifer Seehra, Safety & Organizational Development Manager
Mentee – Zeynep Polat, Project Coordinator

For Zeynep, a Project Coordinator looking to advance into a Project Manager role, the program has provided the technical confidence she needs. She is focusing on the BC Building Code, regulations, and personal branding.

“My experience as part of the Building Builders program has opened the pathway to truly self-reflect about my career in the construction industry,” Zeynep says. “Being part of an organized mentorship experience sets one on the path of being intentional about career choices within their organization.”

Why This Matters

Donald Flooring demonstrates that you don’t need to look outside your organization to find value in the Building Builders program. By formalizing their internal training through our mentorship structure, they are retaining top talent and ensuring that institutional knowledge is passed down effectively.

To John, Jennifer, Levi, and Zeynep: thank you for showing the industry what a “culture of mentorship” looks like in practice.

Are you an employer looking to structure your internal training? Or a skilled tradesperson ready to pass on your knowledge? Join the Building Builders program today.

5 Surprising Ways Mentorship Supercharges Your Career in the Construction Trades

by Joey Bulman

Construction tradespeople hear the mentorship pitch constantly, usually right alongside safety reminders. It makes sense, but it doesn’t always spark excitement.

The real power of mentorship lies in what it unlocks for your career. The right Mentor doesn’t just answer questions. They accelerate your path to certification, help you avoid costly mistakes, and build the kind of confidence that makes your tools feel like extensions of your own hands.

Here are five unexpected ways mentorship transforms your success in the construction trades, both now as a Mentee and when you become a Mentor yourself.

1. Real-World Wisdom: What School Can’t Teach Classrooms teach building codes. Site work hones the skills. Mentors teach everything in between. You already know how to work hard. A Mentor shows you how to work smart and move up.

Working with an experienced tradesperson teaches you how to:

  • Navigate busy worksites safely
  • Communicate professionally with forepersons, inspectors, clients, and industry experts
  • Make smart decisions regarding safety and scheduling
  • Step into leadership roles when the opportunity arises

Every Mentor is a real-time example of leadership in the trades. This prepares you to become a strong lead hand or journeyperson whom others trust.

2. Instant Access to Professional Networks Construction thrives on who you know as much as what you can do. Mentors often introduce their Mentees to colleagues, employers, unions, tradespeople, supervisors, and other industry professionals.

These relationships can lead to:

  • New job opportunities
  • More hours toward certification
  • Specialized training
  • Future mentorship roles

Mentorship acts like a backstage pass to the industry. It helps you stand out even while you are still an apprentice.

3. Confidence on the Path to Certification The path to journeyperson or Red Seal status rarely runs smoothly. Think of it like building a staircase: one careful step at a time.

Mentors help by:

  • Breaking down goals into practical steps
  • Sharing how they navigated school, exams, job site training, and onsite evaluations
  • Helping you showcase the skills you have built
  • Encouraging you to rise strong even when the load feels heavy

This is career development with someone who has already walked the path ahead of you.

4. Navigating Challenges with an Ally Maybe you just immigrated to Canada. Maybe you moved to BC, switched industries, or started your first job. Job site communication can feel intimidating, and you might wonder if you belong.

Mentorship in construction trades gives you support for real-world stressors:

  • Guidance during layoffs or schedule gaps
  • Advice for short-term training options
  • Direction on which skills to develop and feature on your resume
  • Someone who understands the pressure of the grind

Nothing supports your growth in the construction trades like having someone in your corner.

5. Building a Legacy: From Mentee to Mentor The most powerful part of the process is the full circle effect. Today’s Mentee often becomes tomorrow’s Mentor.

Meet Abbas: A Building Builders Success Story Abbas is a foreign-trained electrician Who challenged the interprovincial exam and successfully achieved his Red Seal Certification as an electrician. When he joined the Building Builders Mentorship Program, he was seeking career guidance to better understand how to leverage his electrical skills in the BC labour market.

Mentorship Advisors matched him with a Red Seal Construction Electrician who helped him achieve his short-term goals and build confidence. After completing his mentorship as a Mentee, Abbas chose to give back by becoming a Building Builders Mentor himself. Today, he has started a new position and is empowering his own Mentees. He stands as a powerful example of how mentorship transforms lives and strengthens BC’s construction industry.

Mentoring strengthens your:

  • Professional reputation and network
  • Leadership skills
  • Pride in the impact you make
  • Contribution to the next generation of industry professionals

Mentors shape the future and create a legacy of a skilled workforce.

Lay the Foundation for the Career You Want Whether you are just starting out or working toward supervising crews, construction trades mentorship provides the guidance, tools, and confidence to accelerate your path.

The best question isn’t “Why should I join a mentorship program?” The better question is “Why would I wait?”

Reach out. Ask questions. Take the opportunity to be mentored through the Building Builders Mentorship Program. Then, someday, pay it forward and help another tradesperson rise.