LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR THE NEXT GENERATION IN CONSTRUCTION

The construction industry is facing a turning point. Skilled labor is in short supply, retirements are accelerating, and the experience gap is widening.

The solution isn’t just hiring more people; it’s making sure knowledge and culture pass from one generation to the next. That’s where mentorship comes in.

THINK
Mentorship is quickly becoming one of the smartest ways to close the skills gap. Companies that lean into it see people stay longer, learn faster, and grow into leaders more naturally.

According to a study cited by Forbes and conducted by the American Society for Training and Development, 75 percent of executives said that mentoring was critical to their career development. This finding underscores how essential guidance and modeling are even at the highest levels of leadership. Mentorship helps new professionals gain experience more efficiently, strengthens confidence, and prepares people to take on greater leadership responsibility over time.

For employees, it’s the difference between having “just a job” and building a real career. For employers, it’s tomorrow’s leaders getting ready today.

...75 percent of executives said that mentoring was critical to their career development.

WORK
At Big-D, mentorship comes to life in the day-to-day of projects. Big-D Construction Estimating Intern John Broadbent sees it as the key to starting his career.

“Some of the best advice I’ve received hasn’t necessarily been spoken,” Broadbent said. “I see the value of working with good people and building connections. Even with entry level experience, I try to show up curious every day. What can I be fascinated by today?”

That curiosity is exactly what Big-D Director of Preconstruction John Giles looks for in young talent.

“It’s about friendship as much as it is about work,” Giles said. “At some point in your career, you realize you’re preparing your replacement and mentorship is how you build the future.”

Stories like these play out across our jobsites. Big-D Signature Field Engineer, Nick, described how his mentor guided him through an elevation clash.

“He walked me through how to confirm what was correct while keeping production moving,” Nick said. “That experience taught me how to navigate challenges without shutting the project down.”

Nick’s mentor, Big-D Signature Superintendent Grant, sees these lessons as the essence of progress.

“Everyone makes mistakes every day,” Grant said. “The key is turning those mistakes into opportunities. A successful mentorship is when someone takes even one thing from you and applies it in a positive way.”

Big-D Signature Project Engineer Tanner calls mentorship a lifeline.

“Without mentorship, I don’t think I would’ve made it this far,” Tanner said. “A good mentor doesn’t just hear your goals. They make your goals their goals.”

Working with Big-D Signature Project Director Landon, Tanner has not only grown but also stepped into mentoring others himself.

“If I am able to explain a concept well enough that our intern understands it and can get the work done, that means I am doing something right.”

For Landon, mentorship is not just valuable, it is essential.

“Without mentorship, projects and teams don’t work,” Landon said. “When people make mistakes, how you respond determines the future of that relationship. If you react harshly, you lose trust. If you respond with patience, you strengthen it.”

Mentorship is most effective when it blends practical guidance with trust and patience, creating space for both technical learning and leadership growth. At an industry level, well-mentored teams are better aligned, which leads to stronger communication, quicker problem solving, and more consistent decision making. This alignment helps projects run more smoothly, reduces costly delays, and creates a culture of accountability that benefits every stakeholder.

“Without mentorship, I don’t think I would’ve made it this far,” Tanner said. “A good mentor doesn’t just hear your goals. They make your goals their goals.”

LIVE
Beyond productivity, mentorship shapes culture and belonging. Big-D Construction Operations Analyst Bretta Stangeland came into construction with zero technical background. She credits mentorship with giving her the confidence to thrive.

“Big-D already has a culture of supporting education, but mentorship made it feel like home,” Stangeland said. “One of my mentors feels like a father figure, another like a big sister. It’s become a second family.”

Stangeland’s story shows what others echo: mentorship isn’t always formal, and it’s not always serious. Sometimes it’s laughter on a jobsite, a small win celebrated, or someone quietly cheering you on. Those connections keep people coming back day after day.

Mentorship extends learning across generations. It strengthens individuals, reinforces organizations, and keeps construction a place where people want to belong. True mentorship often happens organically. It grows out of curiosity, shared challenges, and the willingness of experienced professionals to make time for those who are just beginning. Unlike a program that can be scheduled or assigned, genuine mentorship cannot be forced. It takes trust, patience, and a natural connection between people. When those relationships form, the lessons go beyond technical skills, shaping values, habits, and ways of thinking that last for a career. Put simply, mentorship is one of the industry’s most powerful tools for building the future.

“Big-D already has a culture of supporting education, but mentorship made it feel like home.” - Bretta Stangeland

At Big-D, we believe building projects and building careers go hand in hand. If you’re looking for more than a job and want to be part of a team that invests in its people, check out Big-D’s career openings and discover how you can build your future with us.