ABOUT
MAD CAD
Frolic & Feast
Event photos and the inside scoop! P2-5
What’s new in AcePLP?
Check out The Bulletin for latest updates on company events. Pg. 8
On-site Official
How to survive my first client assignment? Pg. 5
Jan 2014 Issue
frolic 2013 feast
30th November 2013 – Nearly 100 staff attended this year’s company appreciation night, to witness the unveiling of the brand new Frolic & Feast. See our colleagues, both old and new, flock to be a part of the action!
The Hawaiian-inspired “Wakiki Night” featured team-building games and fantastic prizes. Even the dreary weather would not deter the participants from getting right into the thick of the action. The highlight of the day was when the teams were tasked with building a free-standing balloon castle.
With nightfall, the tent was transformed into the chic dining area, with the tables robed in dusty blue tablecloths and hot dinners being served up to the eager diners. The emcees, Eric & Kris, energized the night programme with their entertaining dialogue, in between the games and video screenings.
It was truly a night to remember, and we would like to thank everyone who was a part of it to make it happen, from the management, to the committee members, to you, our lovely colleagues! We’ll be seeing you at our next event! :>
To view all the event photos, please visit www.cadpro.sg/photo-gallery/. Peek preview on the following pages! MaC|2
GEARING UP
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GETTING DOWN AND DIRTY
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Dinner under the stars
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On-site Official What are the problems I’ll be facing on site? What will my clients be like? Two senior CAD engineers, Jia Ying and Farhana give us the low-down on assignments.
Where are they now?
AutoCAD software, the tips & tricks and shortcuts really
Farhana: I am completing my first assignment with
helped me!
Shinsung Engineering, handling the engineering design for the construction of office and commercial buildings. Jia Ying: So far, I have worked on more than 10 projects on roadside drains, canals and wastewater treatment facilities with the Environmental Division of CPG Consultants.
not be shy to ask “Do around if you do not know… ” What challenges did you face while on assignment?
So, why AcePLP?
Farhana: When I first entered the client’s office, I only
Farhana: My passion has always been in design despite
had basic knowledge about Air-conditioning and
my engineering background. Joining the AEC industry
Mechanical
felt like the natural step for me to take [in my career].
Sometimes, site engineers might expect us to know
AcePLP’s programme gives me exposure to working in
some more knowledge about it.
this field.
Jia Ying: I had a few communication problems with
Jia Ying: It [the traineeship] sets up a good foundation
clients of different nationalities. I also had to deal with
for other engineering positions by learning CAD skills,
older versioning of software, which was tricky.
Ventilation
(ACMV)
system
design.
such as reading and drafting engineering drawings. Do you have any advice for your juniors before they go Share with us about your on-site experience.
on-site?
Jia Ying: I have always been assigned to onsite projects
Jia Ying: It is going to be tough, so be prepared. There
under the environmental division [in CPG]. Through this,
are a lot of responsibilities and long working hours. You
I managed to gain insights into the industry, the work
can overcome it with patience and a good attitude!
processes and technical knowledge that are relevant to
Farhana: My advice would be to not be shy to ask
my interest in the water treatment sector.
around if you do not know. If you have very limited
Farhana: Working around the design engineers [at the
experience and love to be involved in engineering
client’s site] really helped me to gain a lot of knowledge
design, just go for it!
from them. When I needed to work faster with the MaC|6
As the new year, 2014, descends upon us, let’s take a look at one of the several interesting developments ahead.
PROJECT PLANNING For the past half year, the Training Department had been working hand-in-hand with Mr Low Pak Sing, an experienced planner in the industry, to come up with an exciting planning module in anticipation of its commencement in 2014.
What is Project Planning? Project Planning is an essential part of construction projects, enabling them to stay on schedule through careful control from the beginning till completion. It involves proper documentation of delays, problems and changes to the planned schedule, which helps contractors to better protect themselves when delays arise and explain for them accurately. Control over the project is established through baseline development, time impact analysis and developing a tracking and recovery programme.
Pre-requisites for a Career as a Planner You will need to: -
Know the sequence of a construction project Know how to use Primavera/MS Project Gain experience and hence be able to compute time needed for each stage to develop a feasible schedule Have fundamentally good CAD skills
Who is it for? -
Not for the socially awkward. Planning is usually done in a non-office environment. Often, planners would have to go onsite to understand project progress and interact with people from all stages to form a better picture of plausible deadlines to assimilate into projects.
-
Not for the faint-hearted. The responsibility of a planner is huge as the success of a construction project weighs heavily on the judgement of the planner when scheduling.
Anticipated Start Date The Planning module is slated to start this January. Shortlisted staff selected based on their work performance and attitude will be invited to attend. Most importantly, they must be willing to take the leap of faith and accept the responsibilities which come with it.
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The Bulletin Upcoming Events… WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE IN OUR SOCIAL CALENDAR THIS YEAR? Vote now on our CADpro website! Options include: 1. Balloon Sculpting Workshop 2. Food Trail 3. Sign Language Workshop 4. Family Picnic Day 5. Volunteering
NEW SUPPORT STAFF The AcePLP family welcomes 5 new support staff! LINE MANAGER – KRIS
SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING - MELISSA
Most of you would have already met her at our Frolic & Feast 2013 as she was our very HOT emcee. If you get her as your line manager, get into her good books and she will always be there for you; but if you slack... hoho!
The social media guru in the house! Look forward to more activity on the web and link up with us on CADpro, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and many more!
Contact no.: 9850 3574
Contact no.: 6455 9938 Email: infor@aceplp.com.sg
Email: kris@aceplp.com.sg TRAINING ADMIN – SHAREEN LINE MANAGER – FRANCIS Prepare to be star-struck by the actor in our midst! He’s appeared in homegrown TV shows and ads so you may find him familiar, and once you’ve seen him, you are not likely to forget him in a hurry.
Some of you would have already met this multitalented girl at your interview or at F&F2013. Meet our new training admin who is the law when it comes to training records. Hand in your training records on time or face her wrath!
Contact no.: 9380 2925
Contact no.: 6455 9938
Email: francis.cl@aceplp.com.sg
Email: shareen@aceplp.com.sg
HR EXECUTIVE (RECRUITMENT) – WEI LING The friendly interviewer who has a very low laughing threshold. Try making her laugh and you’ll be in for a treat :D Contact no.: 6455 9938 Email: weiling@aceplp.com.sg
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