Sembcorp Industries
Features | Engineering

Meeting the World’s Growing Needs

Sembcorp Industries is a leading energy, water and marine group operating across six continents worldwide. As a trusted partner to industries, governments and communities, Sembcorp has championed the development of superior approaches, technologies and solutions that will meet the world’s growing demand for energy, water and other urban solutions now and in the future.

A mid trends of globalisation and rapid urbanisation, governments, industries and communities today are faced with the challenge of balancing development with resource scarcity and environmental concerns.

Sembcorp conducts its business responsibly and with integrity, developing high-efficiency, low-emission and reliable energy solutions as well as total water and wastewater solutions for both the industrial and municipal sectors. Today, it has a solid track record in energy generation, water management and sustainable urban development while helping its customers carry out their businesses better and improving the quality of life of the communities it operates in.

Combined with its offerings of a full spectrum of integrated solutions in the marine and offshore industry, Sembcorp is a vital partner to industries and households and is committed to deliver sustainable value to its shareholders, customers, business partners and the communities in which it operates.


"It is important to be able to develop sustainable and eco-friendly solutions that minimise the impact on the environment while still allowing growth to continue."

Felicia Pan Yi
Sembcorp Scholar

Designation:
Engineer, Power Utilities (Operations) Department, Sembcorp Utilities

Studied:
Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental Engineering), National University of Singapore

In order for Sembcorp to continue to grow, it constantly seeks talented individuals who will help it continue on its promising growth trajectory. Sembcorp Scholars Felicia Pan, 24, and Zheng Yi, 23, tell us how they are being groomed to continue Sembcorp’s legacy of sustainable growth and innovation.

Making a Difference

Felicia was drawn to Sembcorp because of its focus on growing sustainable businesses, which aligned perfectly with her keen awareness of the environmental costs of urban growth and development. The Environmental Engineering graduate from the National University of Singapore (NUS) tells us, “Environmental issues such as climate change will only become more pressing as world economies continue to grow. It is important to be able to develop sustainable and eco-friendly solutions that minimise the impact on the environment while still allowing growth to continue.

“For instance, Sembcorp is able to manage the entire energy-from-waste value chain, where its solid waste management arm collects and recovers wastewood from industrial and commercial waste. The woodwaste is further processed into woodchip – a resource that can be used to fuel its woodchip boiler plant which produces steam for commercial use. The company is also looking to grow its renewable energy portfolio to 10 per cent of our generation mix. I am excited to be part of this and to do my part to help the environment!”

As a Power Utilities Operation Engineer, Felicia has worked on boiler plants and tested the concentration of pollutants in steam emissions. She elaborates, “An Annual Source Emissions Test is conducted to assess the potential environmental impact of the boiler plants. To make sure that this test is carried out safely, I work closely with various departments such as Maintenance and the Health, Safety and Environment department to make sure that the organisation’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are adhered to.

“My work is dynamic and it presents a challenge for me every day. I am also responsible for ensuring that Sembcorp remains a reliable service provider by making sure that an undisrupted supply of electricity goes into the power grid. Part of my work is also to make sure that essential utilities such as fire water, cooling water and steam are supplied to our customers.”

On Zheng Yi’s part, the NUS Electrical Engineering graduate emphasises how the Sembcorp Scholarship has provided him with a platform to realise his goals. He says earnestly, “Engineering is instrumental in creating a better life for people. Electrical energy is also the foundation of modern industries as it is the best way to transport energy. My scholarship has given me the opportunity to pursue what I am interested in and is now allowing me to put my learning to use at Sembcorp while contributing to the company and society.

Zheng Yi
Sembcorp Scholar

Designation:
Engineer, Electrical and Instrumentation Department, Sembcorp Marine

Studied: Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical Engineering), National University of Singapore

"Engineering is instrumental in creating a better life for people. My scholarship has given me the opportunity to pursue what I am interested in and is now allowing me to put my learning to use at Sembcorp while contributing to the company and society."


“As an Engineer in the Electrical and Instrumentation Department in the Marine business, I conduct risk assessments and identify potential hazards in order to mitigate any risks associated with our work procedures. I also enforce safety regulations and ensure that all work is carried out in accordance with the highest safety standards.”

Groomed for Success

From the time they are awarded the scholarship, Sembcorp Scholars are given boundless opportunities to familiarise themselves with the various aspects of Sembcorp’s global businesses. Felicia shares, “I’ve had opportunities to intern at Sembcorp during my semester breaks. I have had stints in the Process and Technology Department and the Water Department. These attachments helped me gain both a macro and micro perspective of Sembcorp and allowed me to learn about the different functions in the company.

“I was also able to think more critically about the issues facing Sembcorp on the ground and could draw links between the theory I learnt in school and its practical applications! This really helped facilitate my learning process.”

And in addition to his own internships with the Design and Production departments, Zheng Yi tells us about the Hippocampus Club, a club exclusive to Sembcorp Scholars. He explains, “Sembcorp Scholars become lifelong members of this club. It is essentially a networking group run by scholars for scholars which provides mentoring, welfare and developmental opportunities.”


"Sembcorp is looking for independent and passionate thinkers who want to contribute to society and industry."

“I gained valuable advice and guidance from more experienced scholars. The various networking sessions also help me hone my communication skills and cultivate close relationships with fellow scholars. Furthermore, the club organises overseas trips for us to mingle and get to know each other better. I myself recently went to Batam, Indonesia!” he adds, beaming.

To add on, Sembcorp Scholars are placed in operational roles of their choice after graduating, thus enabling them to build a solid background in operations. Felicia says, smiling, “Through rigorous on-the-job training and guidance, I am being groomed to take on more responsibilities in the future. Operations forms the basis of all our work here at Sembcorp, which is why it is important for us to thoroughly grasp it before we progress.

“Sembcorp also actively supports our pursuit of knowledge and skills upgrading. For instance, I am currently on a one-year Steam Engineer course that will equip me with the skills to do my job better.”

Looking Over the Horizon

And as we turn an eye towards the future, Zheng Yi lights up visibly. He enthuses, “I hope to enter the marine industry and work with ship systems. Sembcorp provides plenty of job rotation opportunities for us to diversify our areas of expertise!”

He also has a few words of advice for scholarship hopefuls. He muses, “You must know how to differentiate yourself from the other applicants. Identify your strengths and build on them. This is not a decision to be made lightly – Sembcorp chooses the people it trusts, and we have a responsibility to contribute and become productive members of the company and industry.”

Felicia concurs, adding, “Potential scholars must be sure that their values align with that of Sembcorp. Sembcorp is looking for independent and passionate thinkers who want to contribute to society and industry. They must develop a holistic view of Sembcorp and be sure that their passion lies in this area!”