At least 500 painters are set to benefit from reskilling program by paint manufacturer Duracoat within its Kisumu region.
The reskilling program which was launched on January 18 will see the painters trained on new skills required of the company’s innovative products launched late last year.
On Tuesday, the company’s Kisumu Regional Sales Executive Hezekiah Bunde led the launch of the training program in Kisumu,
“We have always had these trainings regularly, but this one specifically targets the water proofing products that we recently launched,” said Bunde.
According to the official, painters who are the end users of their products play an important role in the market through advising their clients on the best products, and they are the first point of call should the clients face any challenges with the products.
Bunde said following a market survey, the company has received feedback from clients reporting about some paints peeling off.
He noted that this may be due to poor workmanship on the part of the builders, use of wrong paints or some houses put up on swampy areas.
To sort out the challenge, the company developed water proofing paints which have qualities of preventing penetration of water into the walls, and preventing the peeling off.
The program is done in collaboration with paint distributors to ensure that all the stakeholders in the industry read from the same page in regards to serving their clients.
Sadam Onyango, Head of Sales at Pearl Curve Premium said the forums help the painters in engaging with the other stakeholders so as to help them in their work.
“We have instances where painters get contracts but do not have finances for onboarding, so we come in to help and negotiate how we can support them to start the work,” he said.
He noted that the program has also seen painters share experiences, and create networks on how to share job opportunities in the sector.
George Okoth, one of the beneficiaries of the program admitted that painters at times get overwhelmed, especially when confronted with questions from clients.
“Sometimes you are out in the field and the client wants to know something about the products, and you are blank. Such engagements help us gain more knowledge on how to deal with such challenges,” he said.
Charity, another painter who has been in the field for six years said some painters lack certification, a situation which has seen some of them lose jobs, hence through the short trainings, they are able to get certified by the paint manufacturers.