Keppelite news

SHIPSHAPE FOR CLIPPER CHALLENGE

Beyond work-specific skills development, Keppel also emphasises the holistic and well-rounded development of employees. This month, four Keppelites begin the experience of a life-changing adventure at their Clipper training.

In November last year, excitement grew amid eager Keppelites as Keppel Corporation announced its continued commitment to enter the Uniquely Singapore yacht for the next two editions of the Clipper 09-10 and Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Races.

The Company had in the last two races sponsored employees to take part in the Race to benefit from the exposure and self-development opportunities.

Ms Wang Look Fung, GM, Group Corporate Communications, Keppel Corporation, shared on the Group’s strong people development focus, “At Keppel, we believe in empowering the lives of our employees.

“Leveraging the Clipper platform, we have already sponsored eight employees in the last two races. They have done us proud, sharing Keppel’s values with people from all over the world. These values include a global mindset, passion and dare in overcoming challenges and a spirit of achievement and excellence.

“For the race this year, the four Keppelites who have been selected will be challenged to grow beyond their own fears and limitations. We are confident that they will excel with our hallmark Can-Do! Spirit, and also develop and realise their strengths through the Clipper experience.”

After a selection process, Team Keppel has been formed. Three of them based in Singapore and the fourth from Belgium, will each crew in individual legs onboard Uniquely Singapore and bring pride and honour to the country and company.


Team Keppel

Having secured the rights to provide part of the required pre-race three-part Clipper Training at the newly-established Keppel Bay Sailing Academy (KBSA), the pilot run of Part A training was successfully conducted in March this year.

The three Singaporean Keppelites were the first to begin training for the Clipper Race at KBSA. The fourth Keppelite, Bart Kregersman, 27, Research Engineer, Keppel Seghers (Belgium), will undertake his training in Gosport, UK.

Part A training involved an eight-day course, covering areas of safety, seamanship and helmsmanship. They learnt all aspects of sailing onboard the Academy’s 40.7-footer Beneteau yachts, Venture and Endeavour.

The only female Keppelite onboard during training, Karan Teo, 32, Marketing Executive, Keppel Seghers, shared, “All my apprehensions before training have been allayed. The instructors have been patient and superb and I have definitely gained more confidence and skills.”

Thomas Pang, 44, GM, Keppel Offshore & Marine, also shared appreciation of the team-building experience, “United by a common Keppel culture, we broke the ice very quickly and got down to working as a team. Adaptability and ability to work well as a team, core traits of Keppelites, will enable us to contribute as effective members of the Uniquely Singapore team during the race.”

Fellow team mate, Adrian Tan, 31, Contracts and Procurement Manager from Keppel FMO, added, “Learning the basics of sailing, watching out for each other’s safety and living in a small space posed a unique set of challenges. These conditions have required us to hone and harness the best of our strengths and abilities.”

Track the Keppel Ambassadors on their continuing adventure!