With 34 years of experience working in the shipyard, Mark Bond has gone from apprentice to instructor—and now, to 2025 Instructor of the Year. We caught up with Mark as he reflects on his journey and passion to teach the next generation of shipbuilders.

Q: Mark, congratulations again on being named Instructor of the Year. Before we talk about that honor, can you share a bit about your journey and what led you to join the shipyard?
A: I’m a second‑generation shipbuilder. My father was a welder for over 20 years. I originally came here because I wanted to buy a new vehicle. I figured I’d work for a while and go to college later. Fast‑forward 34 years, and I’m still here. When I first started, my dad suggested I look into the joiner craft. I was always good with instructions as a kid, and the work just felt natural to me. 

I hired in as a joiner helper in February 1992, right after graduating high school in ’91. Two years later, I got into the joiner apprenticeship program, which ran from 1994 to 1998. After that, I spent two years in sheet metal, then moved back to the joiner craft in 2001. In 2008, the company asked if I’d be interested in teaching. I decided to give it a try—and here I am, 34 years later. 

Q: You’ve been instructing since 2008. What is it about teaching that you enjoy most?
A: Giving back. I remember what it was like to be that young apprentice surrounded by an older workforce. I had some great first‑class teachers and supervisors back then. Today, the age range is much wider—some apprentices are in their 50s starting a second career. A lot of the older generation that held all that knowledge has retired, so now I’m the “old guy,” which is hard to believe. But that’s why I enjoy passing the torch. It’s important that we keep that experience flowing to the next generation. 

Q: What are some of your favorite parts of the job?
A: Meeting all the new faces. Every class is different, so you never know who you’re going to get. We have people from all ages, backgrounds, cultures and even different languages. It keeps things exciting. And honestly, they teach me as much as I teach them. We figure things out together and keep moving forward. 

Q: How does it feel when you see your former students thriving in the shipyard and they come back to thank you for the role you played in their success?
A: It’s very rewarding. Our current Apprentice of the Year, who I taught for all three years, was a special young man. Seeing him walk across the stage and getting to shake his hand meant a lot. Same for the other apprentices who were in my classes. Watching them grow and succeed is one of the best parts of this job. 

Q: What advice would you give to someone about to start the apprenticeship program?
A: There’s no such thing as a dumb question—ask all you need to. Come to work every day. Be a leader, not a follower. Take the ball and run with it from beginning to end. And don’t look back. That’s always been my mindset.  

Q: This is a full‑circle moment for you: former apprentice to instructor, now Instructor of the Year. How does it feel to have everything come together like this?
A: It feels good to be recognized. We all work hard up here, and most of the time you’re just focused on doing the job. You get into a rhythm and you don’t think about awards or anything like that. Hearing kind words from coworkers and students made me stop and reflect. I’ve been here longer than I haven’t, which is wild to think about. Time flies.