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Onescee and team members performing at the Lucea Infirmary.

Oncesee Gordon - an ebanist at the Grand Palladium Hotel

Who is an ebanist? It's a little-known term used to describe a modern-day jack of all trades. However, in Oncesee Gordon, who works as an ebanist at the Grand Palladium Jamaica and Lady Hamilton Resort and Spa in Hanover, he is the master of all trades.

Oncesee, who was brought up by a single parent, his mother, hails from the parish of Hanover and attended the Green Island High School. He decided from early that he wanted to be a tradesman, and studied industrial arts while at high school before working as an apprentice for two years at Daley's Construction Company in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland. There he grasped on-the-job training in plumbing, cabinet making, steel work and masonry.

His tour of duty at the Grand Palladium Jamaica and Lady Hamilton Resort and Spa started during the construction phase of the hotel in 2006, when he was hired to BH Construction Company, working as a carpenter. He later moved to another on-site company, Dormer's, where he worked on the installation of furniture in the guest rooms. Gordon then obtained a 22-month contract with the Grand Palladium Hotel, working in the purchasing department. Then it was on to the maintenance department as a full-time employee where he still works as an ebanist.

Working experience

Oncesee describes his working experience at the Grand Palladium as being equal to university training. He said, "the experience here is something that I would never be able to pay for if I were enrolled in a formal institution. This hotel offers numerous opportunities to its team members to improve their skills and broaden their knowledge in their chosen field. I am a member of a team that is about 127 members strong and we all are aware of the benefits of cooperation and teamwork. I am of the view that there is no one man who knows everything and can do everything," he said.

The Grand Palladium is this year celebrating its fifth anniversary and according to Gordon, "this hotel has made significant strides in addressing some of the needs of the parish of Hanover and its people. Employment for hundreds of residents of the parish is at the top of the list, and in addition, it is adding wealth to the parish through its support for local industries. The Grand Palladium is a source of hope for the youth of the parish who are hoping that one day they can gain employment there".

Looking ahead, Gordon said he plans to continue being a tradesman as he dearly loves what he does. He is hoping that more youngsters will seek to learn a skill or a trade which will boost the bank of tradesmen that the parish of Hanover has. "Trade skills," he said "are in very high demand in Jamaica, and if our people make use of the many opportunities that are available and get trained, the country will be much better off and more productive."

Gordon sees himself as a very easygoing person, as when he is not working on his selected trade, he plays a little football, watches television, mostly news and Discovery channel in an effort to keep updated on current affairs and new trends.

As a very work-oriented Grand Palladium employee, Gordon has his eyes set on being a perfectionist and plans to continue giving of his best to Grand Palladium Hotel in the hope that the resort will be truly rated among the best, not only in Jamaica, but the Caribbean and the world.