R&R 2010 Presentations on Lihir

On Lihir, 66 NCS employees were the VIPs at a special presentation ceremony at the Lihir Sports Club on Friday 28 January where awards were presented for 5, 10 and for the first time, 15 years of years of continual service for NCS’ 2010 Recognition and Reward Program.

The recipients from NCS Lihir and NCS Properties were joined by their colleagues, managers and executives from Anitua and Newcrest to share in the celebrations of this great achievement.

Newcrest were thanked for their ongoing support over the years in assisting NCS in their drive to be PNG’s number 1 service company.

These sentiments were echoed by Bob Pink who spoke on behalf of Noel Foley and Newcrest who said that he was very moved to think that people had been working for NCS on Lihir for so long.

“It’s highly commendable that people have been working continually for 10 and 15 years. The work you do is extremely hard. We work together as a team and have supported each other during extremely tough times.” said Bob.

“It’s the attitude of service, working together and pitching in that makes our relationship work. That kind of camaraderie is something that we want to foster and endorse – that’s only going to continue to blossom and grow.” he continued.

2010 Recognition & Reward Program

NCS’ Recognition and Reward Program is one of the most important ways that the company acknowledges the loyalty and dedication of employees who reach 5, 10 and 15 years of continued service.

In his welcome address at the Lihir awards event on 28 January, Managing Director Marcus Gosling said that this opportunity is significant for NCS as a family, to celebrate the achievements of its most dedicated ‘elders’, particularly those achieving 10 and 15 years.

“You are a great example to your colleagues and in particular new employees. It’s time to celebrate your achievements and recognise the journey you have all made over these years.” he said.

“The strength of our company and the future we have is displayed in this commitment and shows that NCS has a future based on solid foundations. You all work very, very hard. Hard work translates into achievement and satisfaction.” he said.

Marcus went on to say that NCS has been operating now for over 17 years and this in itself is a great achievement, and we couldn’t have done it without PEOPLE.

“Success and recognition doesn’t come easy – it takes people like you to stick at it during the tough times and rise to the challenges. You olgeta namba wan.” he said.

Presentation events were held in Madang, Kaintantu, Hidden Valley, Lae, Port Moresby and Lihir acknowledging 129 employees for their service to NCS.

Marcus Gosling’s executive move

The end of May 2010 marked the end of an era for NCS with Marcus Gosling finishing his role at the helm of the company, as Executive Director.

Marcus has been a very familiar figure in PNG over the last 6 years, leading NCS into the success it is today as one of the country’s most successful landowner companies. The unprecedented growth during Marcus’ time in charge, has not only been in NCS’ core business of catering and camp management, but also expansion into areas of construction and property development.

Marcus will continue to work in PNG with The Alliance Group, a partnership between NCS and GCC Services which will provide services to LNG projects in PNG.

Some of his proudest achievements in leading the growth of the NCS, particularly over the last 3 years include:

• The mobilization of Hidden Valley which commenced as a 20 man camp, culminating in a camp of 2400+
• The negotiation and signing of a contract with Ramu NiCo for our Basamuk and Kurumbukari sites – a clear demonstration that different cultures can achieve positive outcomes.
• The development and expansion of services on Lihir including the creation of NCS Properties Ltd, the construction division of NCS.
• NCS Recognition and Reward Program – that acknowledges NCS people and their dedication to NCS. It’s the people that make NCS great!
• The redevelopment of NCS’ brand and marketing campaign including the NCS Website
• Gadona – the voice of NCS, produced consistently for 6 years, showcasing what a success NCS is and what can be achieved in PNG.

Anitua Executive Director Colin Vale as known Marcus for over 25 years and is responsible for bringing Marcus to PNG. Colin said that he would like to acknowledge and thank Marcus for his fantastic work at the helm of NCS. “Marcus worked tirelessly at building NCS to the success it is today. He has almost tripled the turnover of NCS during his time and has left the company in a strong position for continued growth.” Said Colin

NCS’ Board Members also expressed their gratitude and thanked Mr Gosling at the last NCS Board Meeting in May. Mr John Kapsa stressed the need for Marcus to remain with NCS and oversee some exciting new projects. Mr Marc Soipang added that NCS had been through a period of unprecedented growth during Marcus’ time in charge, not just in catering but in construction and property development. He said this was outstanding work and thanked Marcus on behalf of the Board.

TENKYU TRU Boss Man

In April, the Executive Team and some key, long-term NCS Managers took the opportunity to gather together to farewell their “brave and fearless leader” Marcus Gosling who retired from his position as “BOSS MAN at the end of May.

Without wanting to get too formal about it, the Team wanted to express, acknowledge and thank Marcus for his inspiration, leadership and friendship in what has been some challenging and exciting times for our company.

Speaking on behalf of all of us, Mick Pye said “I wish you all the best for the future and I am sure that we will still see you around from time to time. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of what I think is a model for what all PNG companies should aspire too. This would not be possible without your direction, desire, leadership and tenacity to ensure the success of NCS.”

MARCUS’ MESSAGE TO NCS:

NCS as a company has come a long way from its origins on Lihir and there is tremendous opportunity ahead. At last year’s conference we discussed our level of performance and it was unanimous that there was still much to be done. We should all be mindful of the role that we each play and what our responsibilities and commitment must be to continue the growth of the company. Your commitment has been integral in building the business and I would like to take this opportunity of thanking you personally for your support and contribution; it certainly has been an interesting journey with everyday bringing with it a new challenge.

I wish you all the very best for the future, both personally and as part of the NCS team. I hope to be able to catch up with all of you over the next few months.….Marcus

Searching for Cooks & Chefs

NCS is looking for customer focused team players – Cooks & Chefs with experience working in large volume catering and/or large hotel environments for our expanding business.

There are also positions available for Supervisors, so if you have the skills to manage a team to produce meals for 1000+ residents on time and on budget – please note the additional criteria below.

Cooks and Chefs requirements:

• Catering trade certificate from a recognized training institution;
• Minimum of 2-5 years’ post apprenticeship qualification;
• Knowledge of ISO9000 quality management and HACCP food safety systems;
• Understanding of food costs and meal production;
• Ability to compile menus and format recipes;
• Excellent communication skills and customer focus;
• Be able to work to strict deadlines and under pressure;
• Flexibility to work at remote locations and on FIFO arrangements;
• Experience in a similar role is an advantage.

To be considered for a Supervisor position:

• Ability to monitor teams for presentation, safety and hygiene to ISO9000 and HACCP standards;
• Management of food costs, meal production and budgets;
• Liaise with supply and service departments;
• Manage development of local staff and work experience programs.
• An ability to train team members and oversee apprentices;
• A current class 6 drivers license an advantage;
• Computer literacy essential

If you are willing to commit to the long term future of this progressive company then please send your applications by 30 April to:

The HR Manager
NCS Holdings Ltd

PO Box 707
Port Moresby

OR: Send us an email via the Contact Us page.

NCS Contribution to Industry Training and Certification

NCS Project Manager Allan Atava was selected, along with other industry leaders, to participate in a workshop to review and validate the structure of the National Qualifying Framework (NQF) for Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET). This is a training package in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry for all registered training institutes in PNG. Once approved, all institutes will use this syllabus as a training guide.

The training package is standardised to suit all Tourism Operations, Catering & Hospitality firms in the country and offers courses for beginners and basic operative skills through to the National Advanced Diploma.

NATTB will also conduct training and issuing qualification for Assessors, for which NCS will nominate key personnel to attend.

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.

Five New Chinese Chefs at Ramu

NCS recently welcomed five new Chinese chefs to operate the mess at the Ramu NiCo
project that has seen the introduction of delicious, authentic Chinese cuisine to the menu. The arrival of the chefs was much anticipated by the many Chinese nationals employed at the nickel mine’s Basamuk site.

“It’s all about satisfying our customers, and home-style cooking is an important part of achieving this goal. Many of Ramu NiCo’s employees are Chinese, and it has made a huge difference to them to be able to access the various dishes more common to their homeland,” says NCS Raibus Project Manager, Robert Bennetts.

“The presence of the new chefs, who all come from Liaoning province in north China, has resulted in a noticeable change in what we can offer our clients,” add NCS Raibus Catering Coordinator, Sammy Cheng.

“Those whose signature dish was previously vegemite with bread, now have another choice – flowery steamed bun with green salted bean curd, or noodles and homestyle dumplings.”

The new chefs are doing extremely well, particularly since they have had to adapt to the many unfamiliar ingredients found in Papua New Guinea, as well as deal with the difficult language Barriers.

“We are really pleased. The chefs varied skills are being displayed time and time again and, together with our national staff, they have formed an efficiently operating team,” says Robert.

“We are now all looking forward to the opening of the new messing facility at Basamuk.”