LIFELONG LEARNER AWARDS 2008

16 individuals and six companies received awards from Mr Gan Kim Yong, Acting Minister for Manpower at the Lifelong Learner Awards 2008 ceremony held on 18 November 2008 at the Meritus Mandarin Hotel. The Award was organized by MediaCorp Pte Ltd in collaboration with Singapore Workforce Development Agency and in partnership with National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and SPRING Singapore.

The seventh Lifelong Learner Awards paid tribute to individuals who have upgraded themselves to stay relevant, advance in their jobs or switch to new careers. Companies were also recognised for taking positive steps in encouraging staff to upgrade skills and continue to perform well in their jobs and improve their productivity.

More than 700 nominations were received from the public and reviewed by judging panel chaired by Dr Amy Khor, Mayor of South West District and Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources. The judges included:

(1) Dr. Amy Khor, Mayor, South West District and Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources (Chief Judge)
(2) Mr. Mohamad Latiff Bin Rahmat, Deputy Director, Healthcare, Retail & Business Services Division, Singapore Workforce Development Agency
(3) Mr. Joseph Foo, Director, Jason Electronics Pte Ltd
(4) Mr Asaad Sameer Bagharib, Senior Vice President (New Media & Radio Technology), MediaCorp Pte Ltd
(5) Mr. Tan Hock Soon, General Secretary, Food, Drinks and Allied Workers' Union, Central Committee Member, National Trades Union Congress

All corporate nominations were evaluated and shortlisted by the Singapore Productivity Association (SPA), through checks and validation of the productivity, quality systems and processes that companies put in place to enhance their employees’ employability and productivity.

Every winner from the Individual Category had an inspiring story to tell – including a success story of a construction worker-turned-auditor; a nursing officer who was motivated by her terminally-ill father and elder brother to achieve a successful and meaningful career in Health Science Management as well as a young man who strove against all odds just because his school teacher believed he could rise above his humble beginnings. Each of the corporate winners also speaks of their corporate mission and commitment in sustained and systematic efforts in retraining and re-employing older or retired employees. They all offer opportunities through structured skills upgrading programmes to help their workers develop their potential and realize their ambitions.

Each of the 16 award recipients in the Individual Category Award received a certificate and a cash prize of $500 while their nominator received $200. The winners were encouraged to use the cash prize for further learning and training opportunities. For the Corporate Category Award, each winning company received a plaque in recognition of their efforts to promote lifelong learning.

For more information on Lifelong Learner Awards 2008, please visit www.mediacorpradio.sg/lla2008

INDIVIDUAL WINNERS
1. Angeline Koh, 48, Communications Director
2. Budi Irama Bin Harjuna, 29, Service Engineer
3. Chang Kheng Mong, 37, Director
4. Chinnu Palanivelu, 33, Audit Senior
5. Hor Siew Kee, 58, Senior Lecturer/School Based Counsellor
6. Kaneswary D/O Kandasamy, 44, Nursing Officer
7. Koh Wen Zhu Dino, 24, Early Childhood Educator
8. KRS Selathorai, 56, Lifting Supervisor
9. Kwee Yeh Ching David, 52, Senior Maintenance Facilitator
10.Lim Chee Seng, 58, Maintenance/Project Coordinator
11.Lim Yew Yat, 56, Enrolled Nurse
12.Loh Tai Tai Betty, 53, Administrative Assistant
13.Mangayarkkarasi Selvaraj, 52, Childcare Centre Principal
14.Mohamad Malaysia Bin Kassim, 46, Senior Electrician
15.S Chandran, 27, Operations Executive
16.Shaikh Mohd Riad, 41, Technical Support Officer

CORPORATE WINNERS
1. Housing & Development Board
2. Institute of Mental Health
3. Interplex Singapore Pte Ltd
4. Parkway Group Healthcare Pte Ltd
5. ST Engineering
6. Swissôtel Merchant Court, Singapore

Winners of the Lifelong Learner Awards 2008 Individual Category with Guest-of-Honour Mr. Gan Kim Yong.

Individual Category winner Ms. Loh Tai Tai Betty receiving her certificate from Acting Minister of Manpower Mr. Gan Kim Yong, for her endless pursuit in continuous education and skill upgrading.

Winners of the Lifelong Learner Awards 2008 Corporate Category with Guest-of-Honour Mr. Gan Kim Yong (5th from left) and Managing Director of MediaCorp (Radio), Mr. Philip Koh (2nd from right).