What a Win-Fall
From the Chief Executive to Technical Officers,the following have done PUB proud by winning industry awards.
GOOD JOB, CHIEF
PUB Chief Executive Mr Khoo Teng Chye receives his award from Minister Lim Swee Say, Secretary-General, NTUC.
29 April 2008. Congratulations to PUB Chief Executive Mr Khoo Teng Chye who was conferred the Meritorious Service Award at the National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) May Day Awards.
The award is in recognition of Mr Khoo’s contributions to the strong labourmanagement relations in PSA Corporation (which he led from May 1996 to April 2002) and PUB, which he has helmed since December 2003.
Some of Mr Khoo’s notable contributions include implementing various educational and upgrading programmes for the benefit of employees. For instance, PUB staff with partial or no education are given the opportunity to obtain minimum qualifications of either the GCE ‘O’ Levels or NITEC.
Said Mr Khoo: “I am fortunate to inherit a strong culture of harmonious unionmanagement relations when I joined PUB in 2003. The PUB Employees’ Union (PUBEU) has been instrumental in motivating workers, especially the older ones, to go for various training programmes in PUB. They can then continue to acquire new knowledge and skills and remain competent and relevant in the water industry.”
The May Day Awards also paid tribute to the contributions of union officials. Mr Ong See Ham, President, PUBEU, was conferred the Comrade of Labour Award while Mr Jimmy Siew, former Vice-President (Special Duties), was given the Veteran of Labour Award.
YOU LIVE, YOU LEARN
PUB Assistant Chief Executive Mr Chan Yoon Kum (left) accepts the NTUC May Day Model Worker Award — Company Commendation from Mr Gan Kim Yong, Acting Minister for Manpower.
10 May 2008. PUB was one of three Public Service organisations to receive the May Day Model Workers Award — Company Commendation. Given by the National Trade Union Congress (NTUC), the award recognises organisations which have made contributions and supported tripartite efforts.
PUB’s efforts in the latter include providing training opportunities for employees to upgrade themselves, re-employing of retired employees and supporting the Tripartite Alliance of Fair Employment Practices (TAFEP). PUB also worked closely with the PUB Employees’ Union (PUBEU) to upgrade the skills of workers.
Said Mr Chan Yoon Kum, PUB’s Assistant Chief Executive: “The award truly recognises the efforts of our employees, especially our mature employees, in pursuing courses to enhance their employability. This award is also a tribute to PUBEU which has always worked closely with PUB on the many training initiatives.”
PUBEU also nominated Mr Rajandran s/o Veerappan, Technical Support Officer, Catchment and Waterways Department, for the Model Workers Award. A passionate believer in life-long learning, Mr Rajandran obtained a Diploma in Civil Engineering in 1978. In 1984 he acquired a Diploma from the Institute of Industrial Management, UK, and in 2006, he obtained a First Class Honours Degree in Applied Science (Construction Management) from RMIT University, Australia. Currently pursuing a two-year Masters Degree in International Construction Management at the Nanyang Technological University, this determined 50-year-old is living proof that you’re never too old to learn!
EXCELLENCE, HERE WE COME…
20 November 2007. PUB’s ongoing efforts to achieve business excellence was given a boost at the Business Excellence Awards Winners Sharing Conference when it bagged two important certifications: People Developer and Singapore Service Class.
The Business Excellence framework, administered by SPRING Singapore, helps organisations strengthen management systems and processes to achieve high performance. The People Developer and Singapore Service Class, in particular, focus on the management capabilities for people and service.
The People Developer recognises organisations committed to bringing out the best in their employees. Key highlights of PUB’s successful people development initiatives include enhancing workers’ skills and qualifications via various educational programmes. PUB also adopted the job-competencybased Association of Board of Certification (ABC) Operators Certification Programme, an internationally recognised training and certification framework for water agencies.
Being awarded the Singapore Service Class is testament to PUB’s commitment to service excellence. More significantly, it reflects how staff have embraced the organisation’s V.O.I.C.E. (Value conscious, Ownership, Innovation, Caring, Excellence) values to adopt a servicecentric mindset that is extended towards colleagues. It is this combination of teamwork and dedication to customer service that helped PUB clinch the award!
STAR PERFORMER
Mr Ramli Bin Osman, winner of the Distinguished PS21 Star Service Award 2008.
Settling a dispute between two condominium residents over a pipe leak is hardly the job of a PUB Senior Technical Officer. But with immense patience and sincerity, Mr Ramli Bin Osman was able to resolve the crisis.
His willingness to consistently go beyond the call of duty has earned him the Distinguished PS21 Star Service Award 2008. Celebrating extraordinary service achievements among public servants, this national award is organised by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, PUB and National Environment Agency on behalf of Public Service Division.
On the job for 39 years, Mr Ramli currently leads a team of 20 at the Woodleigh Business Unit to operate, maintain and repair water supply networks in the eastern and northeastern part of Singapore where a large number of semi-conductor companies and hospitals are situated. His experience in the technicalities of water network has ensured that adequate and reliable supply of potable water and NEWater are delivered to both domestic and non-domestic users.
Always mindful of his customers’ needs, Mr Ramli and team have laboured through the night to investigate and resolve incidents of water interruption as promptly and efficiently as possible.
Beyond office duties, Mr Ramli has volunteered in water conservation projects and assisted in the Emergency Preparedness Day organised by the Singapore Civil Defence Force and Community Centres. Possessing top-notch interpersonal and leadership skills, the responsible and quick-thinking Mr Ramli has won several other awards, including Model Employee 2005 and PUB Service Star of the Year 2005.
