After the 2014 Workforce Development Graduation July 23rd, I met with one of the twenty-one new Marek Helper graduates, Rodrick Horn. Rodrick came to us during the probation period of the Workforce Development Training program. Rodrick completed the process and started the probation period in January 2013. He proved to be an outstanding trainee, and was switched to MBS payroll that March. Rodrick is working toward his goal of becoming a foreman.
MBS projects that Rodrick has worked on include Minute Maid Park, BBVA, Katy High School, Baylor College of Medicine, Moody Gardens, UTMB-Galveston, Halliburton, and Nordstrom.
Rodrick's coach during the training program, Edmundo Costilla, had nothing but positive things to say about his work, stating, "Rodrick is one of my best trainees. He is very responsible and currently working with other trainees, using his experience and passing on his knowledge." Foreman Dave McMillan joined in saying, "He has talent, as well as drive. He plans to improve, working and moving up in the company. I look forward to working with him."
Arthur: I’d like to introduce you to Rodrick Horn, one of the graduates from tonight’s ceremony. Rodrick Horn has been with us for about a year and a half now. He’s gone through our helper program and graduated tonight. Roderick, what did you feel was most important to your success in the Marek Brothers training program?
Rodrick: The thing that I felt was most important was the fact that the program is an on-the-job program that couples you with a coach. The coach is actually trained in certain skills that helps them teach you certain things. They wouldn’t necessarily kill your morale. Some people…I have this thing that I say that “Everybody’s not meant to teach.” And when the coaches, when people like myself (trainees that graduate and keep going on to higher levels in this program and become coaches)…They actually have a system that they offer the coaches to help them in teaching the trainees everything that they need to know in a way that is conducive to their learning process and just that helps and inspires them to want to know more. In terms of just badgering them and beating them, because you know it’s a real hard, it’s a real strenuous and really hard and tedious field of learning. Now, there’s so much to learn, so I think, for the most part, just the patience of the coaches. And they’re willingness to teach.
Arthur: Fantastic. So, in the next couple years, now that you’ve gotten through the first portion, what is your sight set on for your future?
Rodrick: Well, for my future, the sky’s the limit, but, if I had to be more specific, I’d definitely see myself, within the next few years, probably somewhere within that leadman/foreman position. I’ve already been acting as a coach on the current project that I’m on at UTMB Galveston, and so my next step, basically, is to take the leadman/foreman class.
Arthur: Well, we appreciate everything you’ve done for us this first year and a half, and we wish you all the luck in the next few years. Thank you.