EMPLOYERS GAIN INSIGHTS INTO NSMEN TRAINING

Watching the Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) from the Singapore Combat Engineers train at Seletar Camp on 22 Sep made Ms Diana Daud Abdul Wahab, realise that In Camp Training (ICT) was no walk in the park.

"This visit has given me insights into the life of NSmen during ICT and it certainly is hard work," said the Human Resource Manager of Soilbuild Construction Group who was one of 105 employers from 47 companies visiting the men during their ICT.

Organised by the National Service Directorate, the employers' visit allowed them to better understand the life of NSmen during ICT. This is to promote support for National Service (NS) and raise awareness of NS duties.

During the visit, the employers got to see the NSmen in action on the M3G Military Raft/Float Bridge and facilities such as the Medical Centre, the soldiers' living area and the cookhouse. They also got to ride on the M3G.

Said Ms Daud: "This (ICT) is a good platform for the NSmen to develop their leadership skills and to refresh what they have learnt when they were Full-Time National Servicemen (NSF).

"The skills they acquire through serving NS are also quite applicable to the corporate world as they will help to build up their confidence and leadership skills. This helps us identify potential leaders to lead the team."

Mr Arun Madhok, Chief Executive Officer of Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, agreed and added: "Furthermore, when people come into NS they aspire to excellence just as we do in our company. Therefore, I see very complementary training going on during their ICT and I think it is a good vocational training for them.

"This ensures that when they come back, not only will they have refreshed their core competency in warfighting, they also pick up good interpersonal skills. Very often, they picked up new ideas and perspectives from interacting with fellow NSmen, who came from all walks of life and these became creative solutions and ideas for the company."

On the importance of a competent defence, Mr Madhok said: "I think it is important, in today's world, to have a very capable defence force to protect us. This is because our way of life is worth fighting for, and we have a much higher standard of living than other countries, and I credit that to our strong defence force.

"I have always slept well, but after today's visit, I will sleep even better."