CHAPTER 1

SUMMARY OF TRAINING

1.1

Analysis & Comments on Knowledge Gained at Industrial versus at Class

In this chapter, I will summarize the technical work duties which had been done during my industrial training with the theoretical knowledge that Ive been taught in university. I was appointed at the headquarters office as a Technical Trainee for 3 months under supervision of Technical Executive and Material Coordinator (Civil Engineering) in Technical Department. Elite Ventures Sdn Bhd (EV) was incorporated with initial objective to concentrate in supply of manpower and oilfield equipment to oil and gas industry and general trading. However, with combination of great business skills, entrepreneurial strengths and quality with comprehensive capabilities throughout the years, EV then
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decided to expand its services, thus, they offered cleaning & building maintenance, testing and refurbishing of fire extinguishers and alarm system, supply of fire fighting and rescue equipment, supply of manpower for plant shutdown, supply of stationery and PVC files, supply of oilfield equipment, involve in building construction and civil works, warehouse management, manufacturing and supply of fire rated doors and supply of marine tackles. The company is also skilled in fabrication works (metal works) scaffolding for oil and gas industry and building. Therefore, during my training days, I have been exposed to several technical jobs which are focused more to the mechanical and electrical works rather than civil works as there are small number of civil jobs available at that time. Nevertheless, I believe, the work environment is same as both offer services to clients and from my observation, there are some connection lie between these three scope of engineering. On the whole, I was technically involved in some site activities and also office works. These two items related to each other, as before job are permitted to be done, some paperwork and documents need to be prepared first, and after the job accomplished, report and such things need to be set up.

1.1.1 Site Activities

As a Technical Trainee, I always go for site activities. Combining mental and physical fitness, I need to say, it was the hardest part as what Ive been practiced are slightly or nothing related to what Ive learnt, especially the maintenance of fire fighting system which is out of my scope. I also have exposed to some civil works such as house renovation and also repairing the wooden flooring at Petronas Ayer Keroh for temporary use. These experiences are totally new to me, as in my university days, I didnt learn about how to install piping system and lighting or how to construct drainage, also method to deal with construction tools and machinery such as hacker, chisels, drill and not to mention, about flooring installation. Therefore, site activities had taught me new skill which I will not be able to get from a textbook. Also, site visit to Yard Air Hitam had giving me chance to see the real
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scaffoldings and also cabins which could be some requirements in certain projects, especially in construction. I was informed that a lot of scaffold couplers and copper that were used for air conditioned in cabin have been stolen at site due to lack of supervision and guard. As a result, more money will be needed to repair the loss. Therefore I could relate the incidents with what Ive learnt in Project Management, that proper supervision of designated person and smart management of risks are really essential. As if the management person has some consideration about such possible misfortune before it is really occur, and already taken precaution to overcome it, the incidents could be avoided. Other than that, Ive also observed many things through site visiting, such as working environment, dealing process, work ethics in different places such as in restricted area (Petronas Refinery) or public place such as Putra Specialist Hospital Batu Pahat, Multimedia University, Kolej Komuniti Selandar and other places. This is something that cant be taught in class.

Figure 1 : Repair wooden tiles flooring.

Figure 2 : House renovation.

Figure 3 : Inspection of fire fighting system.

Figure 4 : Inspection of cabin.

1.1.2 Office Work

Since there was a vacancy for technical clerk, I was instructed to take over the office works for Technical Department temporarily. It was a great opportunity as Im
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able to learn how to prepare numerous types of document, official letter and even reports. Im able to apply some basic knowledge from what Ive learnt in Academic Report Writing for example, in Monthly Report of Fire Fighting System. The format is quite different, but the objective is still the same, to make it understandable. In addition, Im able to correlate what Ive learn in Law of Contract and Estimation with the real thing that is related with, such as in estimation process for project budget for tender proposal which includes estimation of wages, machinery, equipments, and materials that fit the project requirement. However, during study it is more focusing in building construction compare while in this project, its required to estimate for roadwork. To prepare quotations, someone needs some thought of the requirement that will be needed in a project. Therefore subject such as Construction Engineering had exposed me to some machinery and material that commonly need in construction activity. From Project Managements subject, Ive be taught how to estimate man power and time needed for a project to complete. Apart from document preparation job, I was instructed to revise design calculation for concrete mix that was given by supplier. The calculation and formulas are same from what Ive learnt theoretically in Material Engineering. This subject also well prepared me to understand about concrete and also the effect of admixtures. There are also some other documents that I had revised such as Contract Documents, Invoices, Bill of Quantity, and Tender. From what Ive been taught in classes of Law of Contract and Estimation, I was able to understand the documents without much difficulty. I also think that subjects such as Engineering Drawing and with previous experiences in resolving some project tasks for Building Service and Maintenance and also Reinforcement Concrete have prepared me to understand about drawing plan, especially on how to read the symbols in a drawings. However, Ive encountered a great difficulty to understand a fully steel structure drawing plans, as I didnt take the Steel and Timber yet. As if Ive been exposed and been taught before hand, it would be easier for me to understand the drawing, and able to imagine what the drawing might looks if it is assembles into reality. So I can conclude that the important thing while working in the office is good communication among the staffs to ensure the work will be completed on time.
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1.2

Improvement to Class Knowledge

Based on works given to me during my training duration, I had learnt how to accomplish many tasks properly, thanks to Elite Ventures staffs that showered me with supportive guidance. As some theories are able to be practiced in real situation, I do think that the objective of Industrial Training to let the students to comprehend what they have learnt in university not only theoretically, but able to put it into practice was accomplished. As the student experiences the real working environment, the student would be able to prepare themselves, to get their mental and physical fit to encounter the challenging world and gain as much knowledge so that the student will be all set to face the future. Even though some theories could not be practiced, somehow the knowledge that Ive gained from every subject provide elementary base and from the experiences from industrial training Im able to value the engineering world from time to time. Hence, I had combined the knowledge from university with what Ive gain in the industry, I become more understand about the maintenance process, documentations such as project cost preparation, work procedures, project management and many more. Last but not least, I also learn that networking is important element in engineering world, thus I should sharpen my communication skill through the presentation session and whatever task that will be given during my final year in university so that, I would be a knowledgeable and skillful person as well as be well prepared to enter the engineering world in the future.

REFERENCES

1. http://evgroup.com.my/index.html#all 2. Oil and Gas Safety Passport Manual

APPENDIXES