Here I am taking a little look at my service year experience with NYSC.
And talking about my service year at Consolidated Breweries Plc, Ijebu-Ode, I came across the company bus departure time.
First Bus
- 7:10am - Bus departs from Epe Garage.
Second Bus
- 7:45am - Bus departs from Epe Garage.
Afternoon
1:00pm - Bus departs from Factory to Epe Garage.
1:30pm - Bus departs from Epoe Garage to Factory.
2:30pm - Bus departs from Factory to Epe Garage.
Closing
5.10pm - Bus departs Factory to Epe Garage.
5.45pm - Bus departs from Factory to Epe Garage.
In all of this, you need to leave your home earlier in order to catch up with the bus. And if you are at the Factory, you need to close early so as to join the bus. It was fun working and learning the culture of a working environment.
The Brewery Cost Model was what I was involved in. It was all about how to have Zero losses during the time of production. And here is the breakdown of what I had to learn.
Corporate Audits
- Revised audit system.
- Problems and tools.
- Standard layouts.
- Machine boards.
- Audit sheets.
Outstanding
Preparation Phase Gate Review
- Cost model.
- Communication plan.
- Link between KPL and Cost.
- Training on Auditing.
Pilot Phase Gate Review
- Reporting system.
- Safety losses.
- Brewery model.
- Gap analysis.
- Savings book.
- OTIF (On Time and In Full).
- Traffic.
- Team books.
Whatever all these were, I can still remember my duty was to get a daily report from the packaging department where the actual production was taking place. I was to get those in charge to fill out the form where after the SWOT analysis is done. We were to look into the cost savings, brewery model, production cost model, savings book, and KPI based on the brewery model objective to produce more at the same time or produce the same in less time. In all of these, I had a good time learning how the productions in the factory work.
*******
And my search continues. This time, I found Gateway Kop, a monthly bulletin of NYSC Ogun State. Vol. 4 November 2005. The price boldly written on it ₦20. Time in this country when ₦20 can buy you something reasonable. Inside the bulletin, I found an application form for admission into Lagos City Computer College, affiliated with Lagos City Polytechnic, established in 1990.
Like I remembered some memories way back after secondary school to attend the same computer college at Ikeja Lagos but with no funds. Here I registered but still couldn't complete the training.
What got me thinking here was the career objective I found in the form which said, "To fuse Information Technology with accounting practice" signed 16th November 2006.
Smiling here after seeing this which I copied into plain paper:
Please be reminded that registration of Corps members will take place in the first three days of the orientation programme i.e. Wednesday, 7th - Friday, 9th September 2005.
This I could remember was copied from the school board after I got a late-minute call from the one we called Pa-Ime, one of my classmates. My name was among those published to go for service while I was still in town working.
Anyhow, I found one of the seminars on Career Talks organized by Voice of Empowerment Club (V.O.E.C) held on the 31st May 2006 at Itoro Hall, Ijebu-Ode with the Theme, "Youths: The Owners of Tomorrow".
Some of the highlights of the career talks were the inevitability of living, preparing your fire escape, relationship and networking, unshakable faith in God, and a career in the private and public sector or as one man business.
The moderator started with a question about how many first classes are here. What do you want to be, search your gifts (talents), do you dream, and temperament, remove procrastination, develop your mental mind by reading, spend money on training, face challenges, believe in yourself and be focused. He made these outstanding quotes, "A misinformed man is a deform man". "Degrees are for losers''.
Taking a look at it, we need to build up ourselves in order to face the many challenges of life. What you know is what will be of help to you during this very time of crisis. What you know can't kill you. You are what you made yourself to be.
*******
19th October 2020. Today begins with a new hope, a new glory and a new determination to accomplish my desired goal in life. And what did I discover, a reply to my request from Saga Group to join their training programme way back.
SAGA GROUP LTD
The Saga Building, Enbrook Park, Folkestone, Kent CT200 3SE
Telephone: 01303771111
Please quote ref: MTS06
9th March 2006
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL
Mr. A Ukpong Nsikak
c/o Mr Bola Igun
41 Erinlu Tunwase Drive
Imodi Imosan Road
PO Box 257
Ijebu-Ode
Ogun State
Dear Mr Ukpong Nsikak
Thank you for your recent enquiry regarding the Saga Group Ltd Management Training Scheme for 2006.
I am writing to confirm that your details will be held on file until our recruitment programme commences which we envisage being during May/June. The scheme is likely to commence sometime during September/October 2006.
I am also enclosing a leaflet giving you some information about Saga and would like to thank you for your interest in our Company.
Should you require any further information or should your circumstances change, please do not hesitate to contact me, quoting the above reference.
Yours sincerely,
Jane Grundy
Group HR Manager - Enbrook
You know it is during service and looking out to finish it. You begin to apply for any opening around. And training is one way to give into the level starts. I applied to so many organizations either for employment or training. It was something that was worth it. You never know which of your applications would click.
Like I came to know through the leaflet that was sent.
Saga Group Limited provides a broad range of services exclusively for people aged 50 and over, including holidays, home shopping, insurance and financial services and the award-winning Saga Magazine. We have been working in the interests of this age group since 1951 and have grown into an international organization with companies in the UK, the USA and Australia. We are also hoping to expand into Europe.
Saga has been running a Management Training Scheme for the last 20 years and many of today's senior managers and directors joined the company on the scheme. The scheme provides Saga with a resource of talented and motivated individuals who have the knowledge and expertise to make an important contribution towards the future of the business.
Looking back now, I wished I had a placement in the programme, who knows where I would be right now. Sometimes, our desire might not come to be but in all, we should learn to move on and never dwell in the past. The past is bye-gone and so it shall be.
Find all the other chapters you need to read about Diary of Nsikak Andrew here.
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