Carving out new skills at Hidden Valley

At Hidden Valley, NCS’s Catering Manager John Cole, has begun teaching the lost art of fruit and vegetable carving to kitchen staff on site. John wanted to improve the presentation of the servery and buffets, particularly for the increasing number of special functions up at Hidden Valley. He decided to investigate teaching carving techniques and skills to staff. Carving requires special techniques and instruments to make those intricate shapes and flourishes out of fruit and vegetables.

John purchased some specialist carving knives and an instructional book and CD set from Thailand where this ancient art form started.

John initially held training sessions with five apprentices as part of NCS’ Apprentice Training Program that he coordinates on site. He  concentrated on special garnishing pieces like centrepieces that work well for buffets, as well as some of the basics that are used for daily decorations and salads.

“A lot of natural talent has been unearthed with this particular skill and I believe it should be nurtured.” said John. “This is becoming a dying art in the mainstream catering field and it’s becoming more specialised due to the labour cost and time taken to complete the more intricate designs.” he said

“By teaching our apprentices this extra skill they may not learn elsewhere we are strengthening their preparation for their futures in the industry as competent tradespeople” he continued

The magnificent results speak for themselves.

Given the interest and aptitude shown by both the apprentices and the speed with which they have picked it up, John said he will continue to teach these skills and will bring back a wider selection of knives and tools to site.

“The chefs, kitchen hands and stewards are also interested in trying it out, I think NCS will soon become the experts in the country for this creative skill” he said.

Well done to John Cole for taking the great initiative and for sharing your passion for this art form, and to our budding carving experts! Your work will be on display for MANY to enjoy – for years to come!

Landowners benefit by working with NCS

NKW is a Landowner business located in the Hidden Valley area and was established to provide support services to the Hidden Valley Mine project run by another Joint Venture operation, Morobe Mining Joint Venture (Harmony and Newcrest).

NKW Holdings Ltd businesses currently include transport, security and Catering – for which they have been in joint venture partnership with NCS to provide Camp Management and Catering to Hidden Valley since January 2005.

“We work in a very challenging environment. My job is to represent the Landowners and work with our business partners to provide services. I have to bring together the understanding of people and businesses – all with very different ideas and expectations.” said Mr Muntz.

NCS’s initial challenge was to provide three solid meals each day for a K10.00 manday rate. This was delivered within the contract without cutting corners on quality or service delivery. The Hidden Valley project is now seven times larger than its original feasibility.

“NCS are a trustworthy organisation. Their business processes are very professional and this has resulted in the development of a good relationship with the Client. You’ve got to be able to get on with the Client and deliver a service.” Mr Muntz continued. Mr Muntz continued to say that administering the Joint Venture is not hard work with NCS as they sort out any problems immediately.

“NCS is proactive in training which the Landowners consider important – they are willing to invest in the development of the people. Being in PNG is about getting the job done. NCS is one of the leaders in this area and continue to focus on improvement.”

NCS Apprentices become Chefs

NCS Apprentices from Kainantu, PNGDF, Lihir and Hidden Valley were in Lae recently to complete their Extension Two studies in Hospitality and Tourism. On successfully completing this block of theory and practical assessments they will be fully qualified Chefs. We wish them all the best with their exams.

Apprentices expressed their appreciation for NCS’s support to attend the Cookery Extension Course as part of the Apprenticeship Training Program.

“This program has enabled us to become skilled in the trade as Chefs and meet the demand of the growing hospitality industry in PNG.” said one participant. “Thank you for giving us the opportunity to realise our dreams of becoming fully qualified professionals”.

“I would not have come this far without your help and support. I hope you will continue to provide the same support you’ve given me to other upcoming Apprentices” said another participant.

NCS Raibus signed up their first four apprentices from the Ramu Nickel site at Karumbukari and there will be four more from the Basamuk site by Christmas.

Training in 2010 will be conducted in NCS’s new training centre on Lihir Island.

NCS Hidden Valley Crew gets 'Fit for Work'

When one of the NCS Hidden Valley crew was told by his doctor that his weight was causing major health problems, the whole team took up the challenge to help him shape up.

The result is the ‘Fit for Work’ program, which commenced in early December and involves all NCS employees at Hidden Valley (unless they have a medical condition).

Every morning before work starts, the team walks for 15 minutes together.  Whilst Sundays are an exercise free day, the team still gets together at lunchtime for a ‘healthy choice’ meal, involving education about portion sizes and dietary balance.

Hidden Valley staffs are leading the way with enthusiasm and commitment, and real results are being seen. Whilst the walk was originally difficult for some of the larger members of the team, it is becoming easier every day, and now everyone looks forward to the morning sessions.

An additional goal is that staff will pass their newfound learning to children in their villages, helping them to also practice a healthy lifestyle and address the growing childhood obesity problem in the area.

The ‘Fit for Work’ program has also resulted in some entertaining moments, like the day when passing cars slowed down near the walkers, who were asked if they were going on strike because they were all marching up the road together!

Well done to the NCS Hidden Valley Project Managers for showing great leadership, initiative and motivating their team toward a healthier lifestyle!

NCS Fresh Food Depots

Fresh is Best with WFP and KFF

One of the benefits to the communities surrounding mining and development sites are the many spin-off business opportunities available to supply quality goods and support services to the sites.

NCS works closely with the Landowners and local communities to ensure that those who are prepared to work hard to make the best of these opportunities can earn a good income.

Two examples of successful Landowner businesses are Wau Fresh Produce (WFP) in Wau and Kumul Fresh Foods (KFF) in Kainantu. Both of these businesses supply fresh produce to NCS Projects all over PNG, and are managed as part of the NCS family of businesses for respective landowner groups in Hidden Valley and Kainantu.

The businesses provide a market link between the local farmers in the community and NCS projects. They mobilise local farmers to grow and sell back to the business, the fresh produce required. In effect, these businesses redistribute mining benefits to people in the community by providing an opportunity for work.

WFP team sources fresh fruit and vegetables from growers and farmers within the Wau area and the Bulolo District of Morobe Province. The project currently supplies 7 ton of fresh produce each week to NCS sites including Hidden Valley, Unitech campus in Bulolo and Wau National Small Scale Mining Training Center.

We grow: kaukau, taro, banana cooking, banana eating (ripe), pumpkin, potato, lettuce, cabbage English, cabbage Chinese, pak choy, (varieties) saladeer, beans french, beans snake, beans dwarf, carrot, capsicum, tomato, choko tips, choko fruit, egg plant, onion spring, parsley, cucumber, zucchini, leek, ginger, silver beet, lemon, passion fruit, sugar fruit, orange, mandarin, water melon, mango, pawpaw.

“Part of the satisfaction of working with NCS in this business is that we support NCS Projects and provide income earning opportunities for the local farming community.” Said WFP NCS Project Manager Lydia Waengo

“Our job at WFP is to make it all run smoothly.” she continued “Some of the challenges they face include the sheer logistics of getting produce to market. PNG’s roads are unpredictable at the best of times!” she said.

It’s a similar operational model with KFF who supply 17 ton of fresh produced weekly supplying NCS projects in the Kainantu region as Unitech in Lae and up to Lihir Island. KFF employs local people and purchase produce from Kainantu, Hagen, Goroka, Chimbu and the Markham Valley.

July 2009