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Structual Engineer Grenville Phillips II
Structural Engineer Grenville Phillips II

Structural Engineer Grenville Phillips II has initiated a new strategy to reduce the vulnerability of houses to natural hazards.  He has developed a course and hopes to train construction foremen – eventually awarding them with a College diploma with the support of Walbrent College.

Courses are scheduled to be held after normal construction working hours, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, between 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm.  The next course is scheduled to start on Tuesday, 1st February 2011.  Please contact Walbrent College at e-mail: Admin@Walbrent.com for registration information.  You can also get further details at www.Walbrent.com.

Read out this proactive initiative on Grenville’s blog Weighed in the Balance.


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  1. While I must congratulate Mr Phillips for his effort, unless government makes it mandatory that a construction foreman has some qualifications, we are still going to get quacks doing the job and hence doing some bad work in Barbados.


  2. But have you noticed that recently some government jobs are now demanding qualifications “by exams only”?.
    But shouldn’t our Polytech be offering this training? And should not building foremen be required to undergo a structured apprenticeship like those in the motor trade? We still have to learn that a good Craftsman does not necessarily make a good Foreman or Supervisor, without the necessary additional training.


  3. Congrats to Grenville for doing something. So many of our professionals nowadays are happy to work, pay a mortgage and be done with it.

  4. Random Thoughts Avatar

    The Polytechnic has offered this course in the past, although I don’t know if they do now. It was taught by a guy called Francis, a boss techncal teacher and craftsman.


  5. Hi Random:

    I developed and trained the trainers who taught this course around the Caribbean, including at the Polytechnic. However, on investigation, the course was not taught as designed.

    Candidates for the course were supposed to have had at least 2 years of site experience. However, it was being offered to persons with no site experience whatsoever. Such persons would not likely be chosen as foremen.

    A person can be taught a trade properly. However, once on site, their methods are directed by their supervisors. Therefore, a well trained foreman can direct the construction of an economical, safe and durable house.

    Regards,
    Grenville


  6. @Grenville

    Is there an explanation why the SJPP would have departed from the plan?


  7. Hi David:

    The general reason given by other institutions (I did not ask SJPP), was revenue generation. It was easier to attract existing students (fresh out of school) than to go to construction sites and try to attract new students.

    I am speculating here, but since SJPP are no longer offering the course, perhaps they had similar difficulties attracting construction-site experienced people.

    Regards,
    Grenville


  8. Are we really serious in this country about anything other than Kodooment?


  9. Thanks Grenville, it seems strange such a program would have failed in an economy which was fueled by a construction boom up to 3 years ago.


  10. Perhaps we now understand why , frequently we see notices in the papers to the effect that having not found any suitable applicants, a work permit is being sought for a non-national. And usually these jobs are what I would call “run-of -the mill” jobs, which we all assume that training and certification for such disciplines are covered in our tertiary or technical educational system. If Bajans refuse to take advantage of opportunities offered to raise the level of their skill and knowledge and be certified, then they have only themselves to blame when they are overlooked for someone who has the necessary qualification, and no so much the experience.
    Grenville is plugging a much needed gap and I do hope that construction companies and individuals will take advantage of offer.


  11. And on the question of a building code, we see in todays papers that the NUPW is about to set up a buyers club in Newton Industrial Park in a building yet to be refurbished.
    I wonder if the NUPW knows the history of this building, and why it has been abandoned for the past 15 years or so. This is the ex Tansitor Building which it shared with Clorox.


  12. hello i am a candian home bulder that specializes in residential foundations..Moving to the island.. i have an way of buiding houses with concrete that would change the way everyone looks at buiding down there.. it would be well above code and i know code is an issue down there.. so anyways i would like a chance to talk to Mr.Grenville Phillips to see if there is a way to work together to try to show him what i have to offer, or even to train locals how to do it..

    thanks

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