The Tribune

A BAHAMIAN striping company believes the demand for such services could reach $4.5 million over the next five years, adding that it was looking to create a highly skilled local industry to better compete against foreign companies.

Bahamas Striping, a grant-winning company from the Self-Starter Programme, has contracted UK certified striping technician and trainer, Brian Bostock, to continue training 13 Bahamians men in thermoplastic striping. It is set to invite other Bahamian striping operators ,such as Tinker Enterprise and Sherwin Burrows, to take advantage of his presence to train their Bahamian crews.

Mr Bostock, previously employed by Road Grip, a multi-million dollar, multi-national striping company, has striped many of the corridors in New Providence and public roads around the islands.

“This is much bigger than just one company. We want to help create a whole robust industry where several operators have the equipment and training to handle any job, even huge airports. We want a situation where Bahamians can look after their own country’s striping needs themselves,” said SeanAdderley, newly-appointed managing director of Bahamas Striping.

“With Bostock the sky’s the limit as to how many young Bahamians can get world-class training to stripe car parks, airport and roads. He can teach how to apply and operate machinery for both melted thermoplastic and traffic paint. They’ll also be taught basic business skills to prepare them to start their own business,” added Mr Adderley.

“We’re going to use Brian’s skill and experience to invest in Bahamians, just as the current PLP administration is asking the private sector to do. This training is very expensive, but we’re stepping up to the plate. In one or two years, when our best trainees reach a high level, we’ll encourage them to start their own business, perhaps focusing on the different islands.

“There’s over $4.5 million dollars worth of striping work happening around the Bahamas in the next five years, more than enough for one company to handle. The Bahamian striping industry will need multiple operations to service that demand,” said Mr Adderley.

“Instead of foreigners coming in here, taking out the profits and not giving back to the community, we are creating a whole new industry. That is what we need to help combat unemployment and crime. The foreign-based company has been here for 13 years and hasn’t trained a single Bahamian in thermoplastic striping. Not a single one!

“That’s a travesty and complete waste. If they had wanted to, they could have trained at least five young men to apply thermo in a decade. The Bahamian striping operators now want to control their own destiny. There’s no reason for foreigners to be here. Bahamians can do this work, and Brian is going to train lots of young men how it’s done to perfect UK Road Marking standards.”