Driven by increased competition, and the accelerated pace technological development, workplaces are changing, and changing quickly. We get up close and personal with unionist Lim Boon Chang to find out his secret to keeping pace and staying ahead of all the changes around him.
As an assistant engineer at Denka Advantech Ptd Ltd, a manufacturer of fused silica fillers, Boon Chang and his colleagues in the maintenance team work behind the scenes to keep the plant’s many machines up and running.
“We are responsible for the maintenance of the machines, which are made in Japan. Besides getting familiar with any new upgrades to the machines, we also troubleshoot problems, repair and replace parts and look into preventive maintenance,” said the 41-year-old. Denka Advantech is a unionised company with the Chemical Industries Employees’ Union (CIEU).
A Culture of Learning
As the machines regularly get updated, Boon Chang shared how it is crucial that he and his team learn all about the new enhancements to the equipment to keep up to speed.
In the seven years he’s been with Denka Advantech, Boon Chang has attended a number of technical skills courses such as electrical programming and safety courses, such as working at heights and in confined spaces, sponsored by the company.
“Learning new skills and knowledge not only makes the job easier, it also allows me to perform at a higher standard and do better. What you thought was complicated and unknown can now be better understood with a different perspective,” he shared.
Soft Skills Matter
Aside from picking up new knowledge, he revealed that the most important factor in doing his job well lies in managing inter-personal relationships between people.
To help him better foster a culture of open communication and a sense of ownership that are crucial for stronger teamwork, Boon Chang also took up a Supervisor Management course at Kaplan Singapore on his own to better understand the many different approaches in managing colleagues.
Beyond being naturally inquisitive and curious about the impact of technology on society, Boon Chang’s motivation to upgrade also stems from the need to stay ahead of changes. The sole breadwinner shared that remaining relevant with current skills not only means survival in the workplace, but also the opportunity to better take care of his family.
Beyond Career Progression
While career progression may be the top of many people’s minds, Boon Chang prefers to take a practical long-term view and focus on staying relevant.
“The truth is that while we can pick up new skills, knowledge and certifications, it doesn’t immediately translate into a promotion at work as that still depends on performance. But with practice, you will be able to apply what you learnt, and perform better.
“To me, upgrading and learning is something that will ultimately benefit me as an individual and let me be the best that I can be. Be it in my current company, a future job in another, or even in my own business, I want to have the necessary skills and knowledge to do the job well,” he said.
Playing a Role in the ITM
With an eye on the future and developments in the industry, Boon Chang also shared that he is keen on the finding out more about the strategies highlighted in the Energy & Chemicals Industry Transformation Map. He will be looking at what’s available and relevant to working people like him and how he can benefit from them. He hopes to share what he has learnt with both fellow union members and the company.
To help members better equip themselves with new skills and tap into the new opportunities that will come with industry transformation, CIEU has been collaborating with NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute), training institutions such as NTUC LearningHub, and institutes of higher learning such as Singapore Polytechnic to develop training and certification. Two such courses are ‘SkillsFuture for the Digital Workplace’ and ‘Certificate in Analytical Instrumentation and Laboratory Techniques’.
For more information, email janelle_ting@ntuc.org.sg.
