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Rather than waiting for opportunities to present themselves, individuals with a growth mindset proactively seek out ways to grow and improve themselves. This rings true for Palanivelu S/O Raja Manickam, also known as Velu, a 39-year-old with an appetite for learning.

Velu has plenty of experience in the industrial services sector under his belt. Possessing an Advanced Diploma in International Business, he worked on site at Jurong Island for four years manning daily operations, before moving on to work at an oil refinery as a Deputy Operations Manager for an environmental services company. Despite the skills and knowledge that he has honed over the years, Velu does not allow himself to become stagnant and instead constantly searches for ways to stay competitive in the industry.

Due to the high-risk nature of his role, he felt the increasing need to upgrade his knowledge on safety regulations to improve the quality of his work. He elaborates, “My role requires me to ensure that there is strict compliance to the safety measures at work which meant that I had to bridge the gap in my Workplace, Health and Safety (WSH) knowledge. I realised that I had to stay ahead of the curve by upskilling.” He has since enrolled in courses with NTUC LearningHub such as Project Management Professional, Administer WSH Policy and Identify WSH Hazards & Implement Control Measures.

In due time, he earned the certification which helped to alleviate him as professional. With a heightened knowledge on WSH, he was able to bring new insights to the table and improve his productivity at work. Eventually, his hard work reaped its rewards. Recognising his drive to continuously learn and contribute meaningfully towards the company, Velu was entrusted with bigger portfolios and a promotion.

Stressing on the need to embrace upskilling, Velu shares, “I appreciate that I was able to attend a course that led me to be certified in project management and safety regulations. The certifications complement my role and enables my employer and clients to have confidence in me and the work that I do. Indeed, upskilling has helped me to become a well-rounded professional and progress in my career.”

Velu has his mind set on becoming a senior manager and a trainer in the future, such that when he ages, he is still able to share his knowledge and experience to the younger professionals. He opines that “Learning is a lifelong journey. Although we might not realise it, but we are learning something new every day. To me, the day we choose to stop learning, is almost the end of the road."

Reach out to our Skills Consultants to find out more about how you can transform your life through learning today!