FROM the moment Peirre Morris laid eyes on a conveyor belt at a construction site as a young child, he was captivated. The intricate workings of the machine sparked a lifelong fascination. Despite facing numerous challenges along the way, Morris’ determination remained unchanged. Now, at 28, he has achieved his childhood dream and is fully immersed in a career centred around his passion.

For the past 18 months, Morris has been a supervisor with Brothers Concepts and Solutions Limited, the building contractor for The Pinnacle, the US$400 million luxury residential development at Reading Peninsula, Montego Bay. The Pinnacle, which comprises four towers, each soaring 28 stories high, is a stunning project that integrates opulence with environmental consciousness, raising the bar for real estate development.

On-site, Morris is deeply absorbed in making his mark and learning more about the sector he has loved since childhood. “I am grounded in construction because it is an opportunity to showcase my problem-solving skills and creativity,” he said. “There is never a time when there isn’t something interesting. For me, it is a continuous adventure.”

He continued: “I started my journey in construction when I was about eight or nine years old. At the time, my father was the overseer on a project. I remember being there and seeing a conveyor belt, and it was mind-blowing. The workers had to stop it and explain how it worked. From there on, I knew I wanted to do construction.”

For three years, Morris shadowed his father at construction sites, learning the trade. Then tragedy struck – he lost both parents and entered foster care, relying on the support of others to continue his journey.

“The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) was there for me and ensured I was placed in a good foster home. The Falmouth Methodist Church also assisted by showing me love when I needed it and provided support during high school,” he said.

Despite the loss, the former William Knibb head boy refused to give up his dream. “In high school, I always said construction when they asked what I wanted to pursue. My friend and I were close to our Building Technology teacher, and we were always with him, building and repairing things. We both got grade one in Building Technology and Technical Drawing,” said Morris.

He later enrolled at the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) to study construction management. “While at UTech, I found a construction site as soon as I went to Kingston. I remember visiting 100 Hope Road while it was being built and saw someone from high school who encouraged me to visit. From then on, I visited the location frequently as well as other sites. When one was completed, or school got in the way, I’d find another one,” he added.

Even with his enduring passion, Morris encountered a significant setback. Financial constraints and his eagerness to start working forced him to put his university studies on hold. He returned to Montego Bay, and for the next two years, worked in the business process and outsourcing sector while hoping to return to his first love. The opportunity came in 2022 when he was employed by a sub-contractor building the National Bakery Montego Bay location.

“Some of my colleagues were working with the piling contractors subcontracted by Brothers Concepts and Solutions, the entity responsible for that project. When they left, I went to the project manager at Brothers Concepts and Solutions, Yuchen Tao, who asked me to work with them. Since then, he has taught me a lot. He’s been a true mentor, encouraging me to learn both Chinese and every aspect of our operations. ‘One day you’ll become a manager,’ he’d tell me. His guidance has shaped my career path,” Morris said.

Morris takes immense pride in his role as a supervisor on The Pinnacle, a groundbreaking project that is setting a new benchmark for construction in the Caribbean. The Pinnacle is introducing cutting-edge technology that, while successfully used worldwide, is being brought to the Caribbean for the first time.

“I started last January, and the experience has been amazing. Their innovative construction methods and problem-solving approaches have sparked my curiosity and drive to learn more,” Morris said.

His journey at The Pinnacle exemplifies a non-traditional path to career fulfilment, placing equal emphasis on hands-on experience, skill, passion for construction, and leadership abilities. He couldn’t be more content.

“My diverse on-site experiences have proven invaluable. Although I haven’t finished my degree, working on various projects and being exposed to cutting-edge technology at The Pinnacle ensures my experience will be recognised,” he shared.

This luxury development provides unparalleled hands-on learning opportunities. Witnessing innovative construction techniques first-hand fuels his eagerness to learn. He even aspires to further his expertise in China, stating, “I plan to study in China in a few years. I want to bring that knowledge back to Jamaica to contribute to our development.”