Kadian Willie, 38, considers himself a skilled tradesman, being able to fix almost anything.
Describing himself as the ‘ace of all trades’, he has found his niche working at Carib Cement as a refractory installation specialist and patroller.
And although he had sights on attending Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts, it may have been fate that brought him to his current job.
His job title might sound complex and the job is not easy. He is tasked with ensuring that there are no faults in the preheater tower or the raw material milling machines, which are necessary in the production process to make cement.
“I think this career chose me! Being at Carib Cement has been a good fit for my interests and skills because I have been able to perform well in other aspects at the plant,” he said.
The Old Harbour High School graduate has been employed at the company for 17 years, first starting in a housekeeping position. Now, having switched positions, going to work at 6 a.m. is not a challenge as his days are not easily predictable.
“To do this job well, you must be very safety conscious, very careful, skilful, well-trained, and you must follow all the rules. Industrial environments are safe only if people follow the rules and take every precaution. If you do not, you could cause injury to yourself and others,” Willie explained.
It is for this reason he takes his job as patroller seriously, closely monitoring the machines and other equipment at the plant. Not only is he passionate about his job but he is qualified, having attained the required educational requirements and a diploma from the then-named HEART TRUST/NTA.
TEAMWORK AND GOOD COLLABORATION
“The best part of the job involves teamwork and good collaboration. I especially enjoy closing projects and just getting things done well. It is a very rewarding experience,” he shared.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted aspects of the plant, he still remains dedicated to his role of ensuring optimal efficiency with the machines. He has no intention of giving up his gear as he believes his job is relevant to the Jamaican society.
“With my background and training, there is a lot that I can do. I plan to keep on learning and growing and being open to any opportunity within the company that comes my way. In my opinion, the experience, training and knowledge I have gained over the years have been transformational,” he said. “Also, working with such an important company helps me to understand what is going on in the world. Cement is vital to the Jamaican economy and it is very good that we can produce our own cement right here in Jamaica.”
