The contractor we interview:

the

MIN-TIMESThe Role Of A Contractor

What’s a Contractor?General contractors, also known as construction managers and construction project managers, oversee building projects from inception through completion. Approximately 66 percent of U.S. general contractors were self-employed in 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Most had temporary offices at the job sites, and some traveled frequently. Although job descriptions vary by job, employer and client, certain tasks are typical.

Contractor Job Scope:

laws and regulations that a contractor must follow. Last but not least, responding to emergencies.

The job scopes of Contractor are Planning such as plan all phases of a construction project. Contractors

also interact with others. For example, interact with the architect who designed the project. They also ensure compliance, there are a number of

Mr. Lee Geok Ai

John

Mr. Yong

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ENGTEX GROUP BERHAD Started from a small hardware retail shop at Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur in 1983, Engtex Group Berhad (“Engtex”) has successfully thriced to become one of the largest and leading integrated manufacturer and ‘one-stop’ distribution centre in Malaysia for pipes, vavles, fittings, plumbing materials and steel products that specialize in total supply-chain solution provision for water supply, sewerage system, and construction indsutries. Engtex is listen on the Main Marker of Bursa Malaysia since 2 August 2002.

fittings to our customers. In short, we reliable and quality pipes, valves and able to provide the most comprehensive, manufacturers and suppliers, Engtex is alliances with both local and overseas With their own strength and strategic

Service Centre.drawn wire as well as operating a Steel hydrants; steel welded wire mesh, hard-

Over the years, the Group has also integrated upward into manufacturing activities producing cement-lined pipes and fittings; pipe asphalt/coatings and bitumen products; cast foundry manufacturing of valves, fittings, manhole covers and pillar

Background

BACKGROUND OF ENGTEX SDN BHD

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Mr. Lee Geok Ai

Mr. Lee studied and graduated from the University of Glasgow since year 1982. Then he started to work in Engtex Group SDN BHD. He lives in Kuala Lumpur,

Malaysia and he’s currently married.

PORTFOLIO OF MR.LEE GEOK AI SUMMER 2014

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1. As fresh graduates, can we apply purely our knowledge gained in universities to our work? If not, what extra knowledge we need? “ No, at least some technical experience.” Said Mr.Yong. “No, you can apply purely, but when you face the industries what you learn is actually the background. But, coming to apply using it, it can be different. I think what you learned in the university probably is a basic theory of it. In the American university they call it Bachelors Apply In Science (BAIS). So, what you’ve learnt in the uni is basic of the background. When you come out to work because of the software or multiple discipline that involving. You’ll design the structure you have

2. Do you think fresh graduates are capable enough to meet the construction industry’s expectations? What could be improved? “For me, I’ve gone through a lot of interview. We interview a lot of candidates to fill up the form.” Said Mr.Lee. “Now education is becoming commercial and it’s no more educator. Yes, educator is the backbone of it, but it actually commercialize it. They want to take maximum numbers, shortest cost and they want the students to come in. But in term of meeting the requirement of it, it have to be linked. Generally there is a little bit of misused because of the commercialize. They tense to focus on those subjects, those course that can attract the student most that can please the student most.” Mr. Lee continued.

3. Do you encourage youngster to graduate in courses related to construction? What are the career opportunities in this industry? “It can be here, it can be there.” “Property industry is actually non stop industries. It cannot stop and the populations will keep growing. The old one will need to back off and the new one will need to take their space. The demand will increase and the expectations will expend. I strongly encourage if you ask me. Construction as the base but please double up yourself to become better.” Said Mr.Lee.

4. What is probably the future of construction industry? “Again I shall repeat, it’ll not stop. The population will keep going up. The land will finish once you start using it because it can’t reproduce it, unless you reclaim back. The city center once you build it, you cannot double build on the same spot.” Mr.Lee continue, “The industries will keep expended. If to compare the contractor and consultant which one has the larger work load? Frankly, I must say both are the same, but one is at the outfront and the other one is in the tip in. Contractor period are 24 months while consultant period given 1 to 2 years, But the responsibility are both equally.” Said Mr.Lee .

Q&A SUMMER 2014

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5. Comparing contractor firms and consultant firms , which has a larger work load and responsibility?“So, again it is the same but I prefer is the mix of it. You started off in one side and trying to go into the other side, and then you find your comfort zone, you find the one that give you the promise and then you develop on that. If you’re in the project management, you’ll be involving in both contractor firms and consultant firms. You will have to deal with the consultant and you will have to deal with the contractor. It is actually a hybrid, that’s why the course in university changed into build environment. It happened since year 2000, most of the university changed the course into build environment.” Said Mr. Lee.

6. Which one will provide a better future/ continuity of work for fresh graduates?

“ I know I’ve been repeating the same thing over and over again, but once again both will provide the same future as long you work really hard. It is hybrid, the work loads will be the same, and the future will be brighter if you’re hard working enough.” Said Mr.Lee.

7. For gaining experience, which of the two is a better choice for fresh graduates?

“You must think of hybrid not just one side. It also depends on your own destiny. Where are you letting yourself going. You ask yourself do you want yourself to be rich? Do you want yourself to be busy? Do you want yourself to be successful? Do you want yourself busy making money or more time to make sure you’re enjoying your life? So, like me, I don’t want to be more in the business but I want to help people to make thing happens because maybe I’m not good in managing my own money. For example, I’m scared of losing my money. I cannot think of 10 million and then suddenly I can’t make it to 10 million. So I manage money for my boss, my boss think that he can make from 1 thousand to 1 million. So he will come out with the money and I’ll help him.” “He has a type of ‘risk appetite’ and I have my own ‘risk appetite’. So my choice is not more into the business while his choice is more into business. He will engage the people to make his dream come true. That’s why I say you’re still young and my advice is the best is the hybrid and as you grow older, by that time you’re already on the firm ground. You started to build your own base or people and friends will come along and support you. And, by that time you can choose to fly.” Said, John.

“My advice is this way, learn as you grow. Don’t learn just to face the exam and don’t learn it because you’re forced to learn. You must have the far side thinking and pictures. It’s important for me to make the widest picture of your future. Every time you go for shopping, holidays and site you will see everybody’s project. By that glance you will see the widest picture of your future.” Mr.Lee continue.

Q&A SUMMER 2014

Last by not least,I’d take this opportunity to thanks ENGTEX SDN BHD for this interview. And also Mr. Lee, John and Mr. Yong for letting us to interview. My group members for tolerating each other and came out with a list of questions to make this interview successful. And also our lecturer, Ms.Norma who lead us all the way from nothing to now.

SUMMER 2014