Keppel Group
Features | Engineering

Growing Beyond with Diverse Opportunities

Keppel Corporation is a global leader in providing solutions to the offshore and marine industries and the areas of sustainable environment and urban living. Through strategic investments in key areas and the active development of innovative solutions, the Keppel Group of companies is poised to grow its businesses in existing markets and penetrate new ones. As a truly global conglomerate with operations in over 30 countries, Keppel remains committed to its key business initiatives of sustaining growth, empowering lives and nurturing communities.

K eppel is a dynamic conglomerate and its businesses span multiple areas and continents. It is a leader in offshore rig design, construction and repair, ship repair and conversion and specialised shipbuilding, with a global network of 20 yards and offices in the Asia-Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, the Caspian Sea, the Middle East and the North Sea regions.

Its businesses in power, gas and energy efficiency continue to pioneer innovative and sustainable solutions and infrastructure for the industry and its customers. And as a forward-looking player in the area of urban living and development, Keppel shapes cityscapes across Asia for the better as a choice developer that creates desirable environments for communities to live, work and play in.

In order to propel its business into the future, Keppel invests heavily in its people. It prizes its people as its core asset and continues to seek out talented individuals who will drive its businesses forward. To do so, the Keppel Group Scholarship identifies bright young individuals with the passion, interest and potential to grow with Keppel. We speak to Keppel Group Scholars Wayne Siek and Avery Gan to find out more about the diverse opportunities they have enjoyed at Keppel.

A Choice Employer

Even though Wayne has already completed his scholarship bond with Keppel, the 33-year-old has chosen to stay and help Keppel develop its businesses profitably while upholding its core values, among them integrity, customer focus, innovation and safety.

He says earnestly, “I had the choice to take up a Local Study Award from the Singapore Armed Forces or a Ministry of Education Teaching Scholarship. However, Keppel’s position as a leading engineering company attracted me, and combined with my interest in working in the private sector, I decided to go with Keppel.”

Wayne Siek Weiying
Keppel Group Scholar

Designation:
Construction Manager, Keppel FELS

Studied: Specialist Diploma in Workplace Safety and Health, Ngee Ann Polytechnic

Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering, National University of Singapore

"Ask not what Keppel can do for you, ask what you can do for Keppel. Although I’ve already completed my bond, I want to continue to contribute to Keppel and strengthen our position as a leading global company!"

Borrowing a line from John F. Kennedy, he quips, “Ask not what Keppel can do for you, ask what you can do for Keppel. Although I’ve already completed my bond, I want to continue to contribute to Keppel and strengthen our position as a leading global company!”

On her part, Avery wanted to differentiate herself from her fellow accountancy graduates. The 22-year-old tells us, “I did not want to embark on a career path with the same starting point as my peers. So, instead of opting to start with an auditing firm, I chose the Keppel Group Scholarship because it would enable me to prove to others that I could still be a successful finance professional even with a commercial background.

“Keppel’s global presence and its strong emphasis on empowering its employees and giving back to society effectively sealed the deal for me!”

An Enriching Career

Now a Construction Manager at Keppel FELS, the offshore division of Keppel Offshore & Marine, Wayne is currently overseeing the construction of three ultra-harsh environment jackup rigs. He elaborates, “I am privileged to be working on one of the world’s most sophisticated oil rigs. I hope to contribute to building Keppel’s good reputation and demonstrate that we have the expertise and capability to build such a sophisticated rig.

“In addition, I liaise with rig owners to assure them of the timely and quality delivery of oil rigs. As a member of the Keppel FELS Sub-Contractors Executive Council, I also work with our contractors to solicit their support and cooperation as we realise our common goal.”

On Avery’s end, the Finance Executive at Keppel Telecommunications & Transportation (Keppel T&T) monitors and manages cash, deposits and loans at the company and its subsidiaries. She adds, “I also prepare various reports for the management such as group cash flow forecasts and debt reports and take care of group consolidation schedules. I really enjoy being part of the team that constantly thinks of better ways to help Keppel save costs!”


Avery Gan Hui Min
Keppel Group Scholar

Designation:
Finance Executive,
Keppel Telecommunications & Transportation Ltd

Studied: Bachelor of Accountancy,
Nanyang Technological University

"I chose the Keppel Group Scholarship because it would enable me to prove to others that I could still be a successful finance professional even with a commercial background."

Growing with Keppel

Keppel began grooming Wayne and Avery to succeed in their jobs even before they joined the company. Wayne recalls going through eight-week internships every year as an undergraduate at the National University of Singapore. He shares, “I didn’t know much about Keppel’s operations back then. My internships were rotated among the different business units in Keppel Offshore & Marine, where I gained a better understanding of the various business operations.”

And in order to equip him with the skills and knowledge to do his job better, Keppel also sponsored Wayne to pursue a Specialist Diploma in Workplace Safety and Health at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. He explains, “This diploma enables me to get licensed as a Registered Safety Officer. From an operations perspective, many safety rules and regulations may appear to hinder productivity. However, this course and a stint in the safety department enabled me to see things from their point of view, which helped me greatly when I moved back to operations.”

Avery is also keen to tell us about the range of opportunities she has enjoyed at Keppel. The Nanyang Technological University graduate says, “I interned twice at Keppel T&T, where I was assigned to its headquarters and two subsidiaries specialising in logistics and data centres. These experiences allowed me to have a better overall view of Keppel’s businesses and operations, which definitely provided me with a better foundation when I started work as a full-time employee.

“As a student, I also got to attend various company workshops alongside its full-time employees. Not only did I learn a lot from these workshops, I also got to know many of my future colleagues. The constant care and concern from Keppel’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Human Resources personnel during the course of my studies made me feel valued as a Keppelite.”

The Best is Yet To Be

Wayne still has a multitude of new avenues to explore as he progresses in his career with Keppel. “There is a possibility I may do a stint at one of Keppel’s overseas shipyards in the future. It would be an eye-opening experience to work with a different set of facilities and an entirely new workforce and culture. It would also be an exciting chance to contribute to Keppel’s overseas operations,” he shares candidly.

"Keppel always strives to bring out the best in its employees. I fully expect to take on more demanding roles and responsibilities moving forward."

As a fresh addition to the Keppel family, Avery has barely begun to plumb the depths of the rich experiences that await her. She enthuses, “Keppel always strives to bring out the best in its employees. I fully expect to take on more demanding roles and responsibilities moving forward.”

Rounding off on an upbeat note, she says, “An overseas posting is also a possibility given Keppel’s global presence! Scholars are often given opportunities to go overseas and experience diverse cultures and different work behaviours to gain fresh perspectives. In order to take advantage of the plethora of opportunities available, Keppel scholars should possess an indomitable spirit, believe that anything is possible and be willing to embrace change and challenges!”