Working at a factory can be challenging but also fulfilling at the same time. Bong Sze Min started working as a manufacturing engineer with Tokuyama Malaysia Sdn Bhd in 2012 and he is now an assistant senior shift leader, leading a team of 50 workers.
He holds a key role in the Manufacturing Department overseeing many staff members who work hard each day to make sure the manufacturing of polycrystalline silicon runs smoothly.
For this week’s column, he shares his experience working for one of the largest manufacturers in Sarawak.
1. Safety first: Working in this kind of environment requires one to always put safety first. In his department, Bong shared that he and his colleagues handle hazardous gas, high pressure gas and hot temperature piping. The work that goes into this department is not just about making sure he is safe but that every single co-worker’s well-being is safeguarded throughout each shift.
2. Teamwork: This is also another trait that is important because it can ensure the work is safe and the target can be achieved in a short time and efficiently.
It can sometimes be a challenge working with people who come from different ethnic groups, so that’s why all the more, teamwork is imperative so that everyone is in sync and can work together harmoniously and help each other improve.
3. Get familiar with the work: “For many fresh graduates, they need to know what the work involves.”
By getting to know what kind of work an engineer does, fresh graduates will get a better understanding of what is required of them. They will also be more prepared for all circumstances whether it means spending a few extra hours to familiarise themselves with the work they need to do or go abroad for training for an extensive period.
For example, working in shift patterns is also different from a typical office desk job, like an ‘8 to 5’ job.
4. Sense of responsibility: “Working in a manufacturing plant requires one to have a high sense of responsibility.”
Working in this line involves a lot of risks, therefore it requires one to be even more careful and act responsibly whenever encountering any challenging situation. The person not only has to be in charge of coordinating production schedules but must also have the ability to maintain quality and manage the highest quality output.
5. Self-improvement: There are many things one can learn from working in manufacturing, according to Bong. He shared that embracing every opportunity to make the most of a learning experience is key to growth. Each time he encounters a situation such as troubleshooting, he finds coming up with solutions that can help solve a particular situation as great opportunities for him to learn something new.
* You can catch Bong Sze Min talking about his work on the SarawakYES! YouTube channel or Facebook page.
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