NTUC LearningHub (LHUB) CEO and Singapore National Co-operative Federation (SNCF) Chairman Kwek Kok Kwong passed away on 14 November 2020 after collapsing during a cycling session. He was 53.
He is survived by his wife and two children.
For almost eight years, the late Mr Kwek dedicated his life to the betterment of workers. He constantly searched for ways to make quality knowledge accessible and affordable to the local workforce.
“I believe in transforming people and helping organisations achieve their missions and corporate objectives.
“Central to this is the need to help individuals and organizations discover what to learn and to continue learning,” Mr Kwek wrote on his LinkedIn page.
The late Mr Kwek joined LHUB in December 2012 as its CEO.
He managed to solidify LHUB as a leader in continuing learning, achieving over one million training placements in the last six years.
A firm believer in education, he was a graduate from Cambridge University where he majored in statistics and quantum physics. He also attended Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, where he received a master’s degree in public administration.
He was always supportive of the Labour Movement, giving his utmost to help ensure that workers remain employable and ready to take on an increasingly digitised world.
When the company training committee (CTC) initiative was launched in 2019, he was instrumental behind the launch of LHUB’s CTC Starter Kit, which helped companies take the first step towards transforming their workers.
When COVID-19 struck, he was the driving force behind LHUB’s role in helping workers upskill when sectors went through rapid digital transformations to survive the pandemic.
In a tribute letter to Mr Kwek’s wife, Ms Magdelene Tan, NTUC President Mary Liew and Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng said: “As a fellow brother of our Labour Movement family, Brother Kok Kwong was always ready to support causes that advanced the interest of our workers and was readily available to lend a helping hand to those in need.
“He had left his legacy at LHUB with us and we will do our utmost to honour his passion and dreams of helping our workers find better jobs through better skills.”
LHUB posted a tribute to Mr Kwek on its Facebook page which at press time had already garnered over 160 condolence messages.
A separate public group has also been set up on Facebook in honour of Mr Kwek’s life. The page has already garnered over 760 members and continues to grow.
NTUC FairPrice Group CEO Seah Kian Peng wrote a note on the latter platform, stating: “KK - a leader, a team player, a friend, a colleague, a sportsman, a lifelong learner, a father, a husband, an officer and a gentleman. He is all that and more.
“You left us too soon. Our deepest condolences to your family and loved ones - RIP Kok Kwong.”
Former NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) Deputy CEO Gan Siow Huang wrote: “Dear K3, thank you for being an understanding and inspiring boss. You set high standards for yourself and your team. We have lost a good leader. Rest in peace.”
