From postal apprentice to Postmaster General
-the rise of Noel Phillips
By Nigel Williams
Stabroek News
March 29, 2003
From a 14-year-old postal apprentice cycling from door to door to drop off mail, 56-year-old Noel Phillips has reached the top of his profession as Guyana's Postmaster General in charge of squadrons of postal workers countrywide.
Stabroek News recently talked to him about his rise and how he feels about his new job.
Phillips joined the GPOC in 1962 as a "casual postal apprentice." In those days Phillips said they were also called, "telegraph messengers" delivering telegrams on bicycles around the city. Phillips was only 14 at the time but "it was the question of finances, actually my father had passed on and my mother had six children."
In those days, Phillips was working as a pupil teacher, but he did not receive a salary. Phillips explained that he just had the designation 'pupil teacher,' but he never got paid.
With increasing financial pressures he was informed that the GPOC had vacancies and was paying one dollar and fifty cents per day. However, in that job he was not guaranteed working all the time, except for when someone was out. Despite this, Phillips said he was fortunate since he was allowed to work continuously for two years.
By then he had already qualified to be on the permanent staff, since he had worked 90 days which was one of the requirements. On May 3, 1966 he was given a permanent appointment.
This was considered very prestigious. "You see Guyana had just gained independence and we were all enthused about being a permanent employee in an independent country and we were just anxious to carry out the mandate of the post."
Phillips added that in those days people looked up to postmen, recalling that they wore uniforms with brass buttons and cork hats." He said employees had taken a lot of pride in themselves. "We kept our shoes shined and our entire appearance was something to think about." He said the respect of the citizens allowed for good working relationships with mail carriers invited into homes.
Phillips attended the St Stephens Primary in Charlestown after which, as stated above, he became a pupil teacher, but he did not complete the certificate. He said while on the job he was so taken up with the work that he dropped his studies. "You know, young people as soon as you begin to work and earn a few dollars you forget your books and that is what I did, but I later realised the importance of a proper education."
He went back to studies attending private classes, writing the GCE 'O' Level examinations, and attending the Critchlow Labour College. He then moved on to the Extra-Mural Department of the University of Guyana.
Phillips said he was making progress all the time, but was not satisfied with his status. He eventually completed a Bachelor of Social Science Degree in Management at UG.
Asked what motivated him to stay in the corporation so long, Phillips said, "You see in the post office we are more people-oriented. It's a social service we are offering and I appreciate people. I always like to meet people and interact with them and this is more or less what I have been doing throughout the years."
He credited his prolonged stay at the corporation to his family background and the fact that his Christian beliefs had enhanced his relationships with the public. "If I were to live my life all over again I would still come back to the post office."
In reaching his current position, Phillips served as postal apprentice, rural postal assistant, town postman, postal and telegraph clerk, training officer, training manager, statistical officer, regional control of post and assistant postmaster general.
While on the job he attended a number of training courses overseas.
During his rise to the top, Phillips said there were people who envied him. He recalled gaining promotions in front of persons who were in the system before him. "But I never allowed that to distract me. I was focused knowing that I was there to work and it certainly did not bother me."
Asked whether he had ever felt like quitting, Phillips answered, "Yes, just before I became postmaster general I was wondering how much further I would go. You see I was looking at my age, but then the opening came and now I have fulfilled my purpose."
He said, "I am very happy, in fact my family is very proud of me." Phillips has another five years before he retires and is hoping to do whatever it takes to ensure the corporation remains a commercially-viable entity. He encourages all those who have started in very low positions in any organisation to stay focused, develop themselves and strive for excellence.
