Photo credit: Luvo Productions Ltd.
“The more knowledge you can acquire, the more sparks of growth, experience and expansion. People influenced by knowledge become assets to themselves, their companies and to the energy sector. With knowledge and with everyone working together, a team can truly accomplish its goal. That’s why for me, team means, “Together Everyone Accomplishes More.”
Born in Guayaguayare at a time when local oil giants like Amoco, Texaco and Shell had their names emblazoned on buildings in his hometown, it is no surprise that Lewis Rigues developed a passion for the oil and gas sector – a mainstay of Trinidad and Tobago’s (T&T’s) economy. Now a Scaffolding Supervisor/Field Supervisor at Massy Wood, Lewis claims that being in the industry for over 30 years has nurtured his strong work ethic, allowing him to positively contribute to the strong reputation of the company.
Raised by a single mother of nine, Lewis credits his acute sense of discipline and responsibility to his daily chores which started the moment he woke up – making his bed, ensuring there was water in the house for his siblings and completing other tasks before heading off to Guayaguayare R.C. School and later, to Rio Claro Junior and Senior Secondary Schools. He continues his mother’s legacy of industriousness and commitment and feels fortunate to be raised at a time when the community played an intricate role in steering his focus. If he or his siblings were out of line, the community did not turn a blind eye but stepped in to reset along the right path.
Lewis’ first taste of the energy sector came at 17, when he was hired as a labourer by his uncle whose business provided services to the energy sector. Early on, he recognized the growth potential within the energy sector and identified three pillars that continue to shape his success – discipline, hard work, and mentorship. His passion for scaffolding was awakened while working with professional scaffolders and observing the intricacies of the trade.
In chatting with Lewis, what resonated was his inclination towards, and deep appreciation for people. In fact, one of the key factors that led him to choosing the field of scaffolding was because it involves “a dynamic team to collaborate and find solutions, despite their differences.” His natural instinct is to guide and coach his colleagues, particularly as he also benefitted from the experiences, genuine interest and the support of many. Lewis was profuse in his praise for Massy Wood CEO, Mala Baliraj, whom he credited with always “making the time for employees and always maintaining a very open approach to their opinions.” He also highlighted Massy Wood’s HR team, describing them as being ‘a true resource for the people of the company.”
His story, however, would not be complete without mention of his mentor, Edwin Matthews, whom he met while seconded to one of the major operators in the Galeota Basin. Edwin’s interest in supporting and guiding Lewis’ professional growth led to a friendship and partnership that has transcended the office environment.
Lewis recently completed a Basic Scaffolding Inspection course, successfully achieving his certification and meeting the requirements to become a Certified Basic Scaffolding Inspector. By sheer coincidence, his tutor, Kerry Mahabir, was a recent feature in our ‘People in Energy’ series, whom Lewis recommended highly and spoke of in high regard. Reflecting on this experience, Lewis passionately shared his views on the importance of continuous learning: “It is so important to acquire knowledge because it has the potential to influence positive change in the energy sector.” As a supervisor, he has ofttimes faced the challenge of managing diverse personalities and egos while striving to maintain safety and quality standards. To navigate the complexities of this, he believes that knowledge coupled with genuine care for team members and counselling has helped to overcome such difficulties.
Having benefitted from mentors and team members who kept him grounded and who created an environment that led to success beyond his own expectations, Lewis hopes to see more energy sector companies pursue initiatives that promote ‘mentorship and community involvement and offer guidance to young people.’ In sharing his advice for the young and upcoming professionals Lewis stated, “Get yourself involved in a trade or course; seek help when needed and avoid negative influences. It is so important that young people persevere, set goals for themselves and listen to and respect their parents' guidance.”
As we concluded our chat, Lewis’ passion for people emerged yet again. He encouraged companies to increase their community engagement and training initiatives across the energy sector, using Massy Wood’s efforts in community projects and apprenticeship programs as an example. Ideally, he hopes that these efforts can be achieved at a national level among local companies across T&T to support community needs and provide training opportunities, particularly in trades like welding and scaffolding which, though costly, are crucial for the sector’s continued development.