Youth showing interest in manufacturing
Sun, 01/29/2017 - 12:00am
MORE young people are turning towards the manufacturing sector as a viable career option.
That’s according to Executive Director of the Barbados Manufacturers’ Association (BMA), Bobbi McKay. In a recent interview with The Barbados Advocate, the manufacturers’ representative said over the last few years they have seen more young people getting involved in the sector and what’s more, she said, they are “doing new and interesting stuff”.
“They are producing products we can be proud of, world-class products that can rival any made in any other part of the world,” she stated.
Given that, McKay said it is important that retailers give these young manufacturers the opportunity to showcase their products.
She made the point while noting that some of them were not getting the level of respect they deserved from the retail sector. She explained that sometimes it is as if they almost have to beg, in order to be noticed and given a chance.
“I am pleased to see the determination of these young people, and it is stronger than ever. There were times last year where I had to implore a few to hang in, and remind them it’s worth it and we can make it happen. But in all that, what came through was a need for local retailers to be more open to the manufacturing sector,” she said.
In that vein, she said that the BMA was able to link a couple of the smaller manufacturers with mentors, to advise and guide them in business, and while it has been a slow process, she said, it is pleasing to see those businesses improving. Her comments came as she noted that apart from the expertise from the mentors, some of their small manufacturers are among those expected to benefit from the financing promised to the small business sector by Government.
With that in mind, she also made an appeal to players in the sector to utilise the services provided by BMA, which are aimed at ensuring that the sector is viable and continues to make a valuable contribution to the country and economy.
“One of the challenges we continuously have is that a lot of these companies only come to us when they are in need; instead we want them to seek us out and let us work with them before they get into trouble and in fact help to prevent that from happening,” she said. (JRT)