Harris Paints conducts training with inmates for construction industry

Jul 05, 2023 News

Kaieteur News – Part of the ‘Fresh Start’ initiative which was conceptualised by the Ministry of Home Affairs to help rehabilitate inmates with skills for their successful reintegration back into society, Harris Paints recently conducted training with some of the prisoners for skills needed in the construction industry.

In a release on Tuesday, Harris Paints said that they recently collaborated with Guyana Prison Service and Str8edge Superior Painting contractors to conduct the first vocational training course at Lusignan’s Prison’s Vocational Training School with inmates to develop finishing skills for the construction industry.

Participating in the course were 13 inmates along with three officers and Prison Trading Instructor, Mr. Novan Amsterdam, who were given training on Harris Troweltex Textured Finish Application. This included technical information, notes on preparation and hands-on practice applying the texture with a float and trowel to create its unique texture.

According to the company, this durable stone-render style textured finish is growing in popularity in Guyana for both interior and exterior finishes as it provides an attractive coral stone appearance and once applied correctly, lasts a lifetime.

Retail Services Manager at the company, Mr. Nigel Dodson in the release said “sales of Harris Troweltex have increased significantly and its being used on several housing projects so there is a call for skilled applicators. There is a bit more to it than traditional painting but, from a construction perspective it has several benefits; it is mainly used as a one coat system so is relatively quick to apply; it can easily cover imperfections in underlying wall surface; it has a very sophisticated aesthetic and adds to the overall strength of the building.”

Harris Paints, which has been a major supplier of paints in Guyana for over 30 years, also makes an elastomeric version of this finish specially designed to coat concrete panel construction that allows for slight movements of the building without cracking.

Mr. Dodson thanked Mr. Garfield Manasseh and Mr. Mohamed Rahim, the Harris trainers and Mr. Vinroy Johnson, St8edge Superior Painting an expert in texture finish application for their participation in leading the training with the inmates and said it was a pleasure to be able to contribute to this constructive approach to reducing recidivism and strengthening communities.

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Construction, Harris Paints, Mr. Vinroy Johnson, society, St8edge Superior

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