NCS Apprentices become Chefs
January 19, 2010 by sue
This group of apprentices included Paul Basil, Maggie Nonafo, Joanne Siria, Noelyn Tolopi, Kagowe Yandi and Elly Anawa from NCS
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 Fresh Food Depots
July 24, 2009 by sue
Fresh is Best with WFP and KFF
Fresh produce for NCS Sites, from NCS Businesses
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
CAN DO approach gives NCS Kainantu a headstart
November 12, 2008 by sue
No Challenge is too tough, as NCS Kainantu proved when they recently took on the task of managing and servicing Barrick’s remote exploration camp at Kora.
High up at an altitude of 1600 meters, KOra is in an area difficult to access.
“The fly camp is within the Bilimoia Mining Lease Area, where drill pads are being set up for further drilling”, says Kainantu Project Manager Romeo Robinson. ” it is accessible by chopper and sometimes by road, when it isn’t made impassable by torrential downpours.”
While it is a logistcial challenge, NCS prides itself in finding solutions.
Romeo says that NCS is working closely with the client to provide a persoanlised service that meets their needs and special requirements.
“It’s our “can do” approach and deterimation that is seeing the company grow.”
NCS Kainantu currently has two permanent staff and engaged local landownder to service Kora.
“Jack Maun, Max Smacker and Paul Basil work on a rotational basis withone of them based at Kora at any one time. Nonia Abbai , a local has been trained by NCS and is permanently based on site, looking after Janitorial services.
When Romeo recently paid a visit to the camp, he found Nonia all smiles. The reason behind her obvious joy was the installation of new washing machines – no more bent back doing laundry in the nearby creek!
Things are moving along with noticeable improvements – all the time.
Gadona – September 2008
