Dickson becomes own boss

By ROSELYN ELLISON
Dickson Pabon, 55, of Nabual village in the Duke of York Islands local level government in the Kokopo district of East New Britain started his building and maintenance company 11 years ago to create jobs for youths in his village.
It was also to support his family and pay for his children’s school fees.
He got married in 1989 to a primary school teacher. They have three children.
Dickson formed the Ramuina Building and Maintenance Company in 2010 after resigning from the East New Britain Development Corporation.
His father was always concerned about village youths trying to find jobs in Kokopo with only a few successful.
Some are dropouts who need money for school fees to upgrade their marks.
“I feel very sad when I see youths from my Nabual village sent back home by big companies in Kokopo.
“It was why I have started my construction company to help them.”
Dickson himself began primary education at the Watara Primary School in the Duke of Islands local level government from 1975 to 1980. He completed Grade Six there.
From 1980 to 1985, he enrolled in the international correspondence school studying building and construction.
His first job was with Department of Works and Supply in Rabaul from 1986 to 1990 but left in 1991 to join the New Britain Corries where he worked until 1993. Then he worked for the ENB Development Company until 1995.
“I decided to resign and start my own company because after spending nine years working for three different companies, I felt I had gained the experience and learnt the skills to do my own thing.”
The main reason however was to create jobs for young people in the village and help students in technical schools undergo their on-the-job training there.
Once the students gain experience and learn new skills, Dickson writes their reference letters recommending them for jobs in big companies such as at the mines.
His company carries out construction, renovation, maintenance and civil works, plus the designing and construction of new buildings.
Some of the projects it has been involved in and completed include the Butuwin Seventh Day Adventist Church building, plus double classroom buildings for the Malabanga Secondary School and the Ramoina Technical School.

“ I decided to resign and start my own company because after spending nine years working for three different companies, I felt I had gained a lot of experience and learnt new skills.”

He also has been awarded the contract to do renovations on the ENB Fisheries building which accommodates the Kokopo Fish market. It also has to renovate the residence of the ENB Fisheries adviser and construction of the picket fence.
The total cost of the project is K265,000 and which is to be paid by the National Fisheries Authority.
He has no regrets about leaving a good paying job to start his own company.
“It is good to start your own company so that you become your own boss instead of working for others.”