AS a home-grown information technology company, NCS is investing not just in tech solutions and services to impact the community, it is also investing in the health and fitness of its operationally ready national serviceman (NSman) employees.

At the NCS Hub in Ang Mo Kio, NSman employees enjoy access to a 4,000 sq ft gym equipped with an AI-powered Bio-Circuit system that offers analyses and customised workout routines based on individual fitness levels and workout goals.

A full-time gym instructor is also on hand to help employees train for their Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT), while weekly classes are held to promote general fitness within the company.

"Fitness is a vital element of operational readiness," says Sam Liew, managing partner at NCS' Gov+ Strategic Business Group. "Staying fit ensures that our NSmen are operationally ready and able to contribute to the nation by performing their duties effectively."

Annually, the company also holds a Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Day Rededication Ceremony, where it celebrates the thousands of its employees who serve in the SAF, and reaffirms the company's collective commitment to the defence and security of the nation.

This year, over 200 NSmen were in attendance in full uniform, with several members of top management also present.

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The company even provides a day of Flexi Family Leave for NSmen to attend national service (NS) milestone events together, like the SAF Day Parade.

NCS also makes the effort to ensure that its employees are able to accommodate their In-Camp Training (ICT) commitments into their schedules as best as they can, by implementing flexible and hybrid work arrangements.

With a company culture heavily centred around NS, it is no surprise that NCS has earned the NS Mark (Gold) and received the Total Defence Award for NS Advocate (Large Company).

NS Mark is a national-level accreditation scheme that recognises businesses and organisations with policies and human resources practices that support national service and Total Defence.

There are two tiers of accreditation, NS Mark and NS Mark (Gold). Businesses and organisations that pledge their commitment and sign the Declaration of Support for national service and Total Defence may attain the NS Mark.

Those with a higher level of support that have implemented policies and human resources practices that support national service and Total Defence may progress to attain the NS Mark (Gold).

Recipients of the NS Mark (Gold), who have demonstrated exemplary support for national service and Total Defence, will be considered for the prestigious Total Defence Award.

This makes it the seventh year running that NCS has received the NS Mark (Gold) accreditation. It is also the third year that the company has been given the Total Defence Award, having previously received it in 2017 and 2020.

"As a homegrown company, NCS has always been proud of flying the Singapore flag as we expand across the Asia Pacific region," continues Liew. "Receiving this accreditation and award underscores our commitment to safeguarding Singapore's interests and people, and acknowledges our NSmen's unwavering contributions to our nation."

No contribution too small All companies, big and small, are recognised for their commitments to national service.

Take for example NS Mark recipient Fisk Tech, which is three years old. It has 20 employees, almost half of whom are NSmen. While it may be small, its commitment to national service remains unquestionable.

Founded by Indian national Varun Ramdas in 2021, Fisk Tech provides underwater engineering and maintenance services for the shipping, oil and gas industries.

The chief executive of Fisk Tech first came to Singapore for his studies in 2003, and attained permanent residency seven years later.

However, feeling like he still had a duty to fulfil, he joined the Singapore Armed Forces Volunteer Corps (SAFVC) as an auxiliary security trooper.

Today, Ramdas still continues to serve his regular call-ups in the 9th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment - and encourages his employees to do the same.

Even though there are only seven NSmen in the whole company, Ramdas believes that every person counts.

"Fisk Tech is a Singapore born and bred company," he says. "The reason we run our company in Singapore is because it is safe."

This safety is not something to be taken for granted, though, he says. It is a net that is made up of everyone who serves the nation - NS being a key feature.

"It is an important pillar to provide economic stability to the many companies that operate here," he says. "Therefore our company has a responsibility to the nation, playing its role in that stability."

Fisk Tech ensures that it does its part by allowing employees to participate in their ICTs without disruption.

Employees, who have to report for ICT, have their job responsibilities delegated to other employees and are given ample time after to rest. Furthermore, all allowances that they may have missed are duly paid on returning to work.

To ensure that they are in top shape - not just in their commitments to Fisk Tech, but also for ICT and IPPT - Fisk Tech also provides free annual health screenings for NSman employees and their immediate family members.

These measures have earned it the Total Defence Award 2023 for NS Advocate (SME).

Having a continuous commitment to NS is beneficial not just to the nation, but also to the company on an individual level, explains Ramdas.

Most of Fisk Tech's employees are commercial divers. The SAF's core values, in particular leadership, discipline, professionalism, and safety, are directly relevant to their profession.

"Our staff practise these core values on a daily basis," elaborates Ramdas. "Every day, they look out for each other, making sure no man is left behind.

"When they go for their ICTs, it refreshes their confidence and discipline when they return to work."

And while the NS Mark and Total Defence Awards may look good adorning a company's resume, fostering an NS-positive environment isn't just for show, either.

For instance, NCS' positive approach to NS and supportive attitude towards NSmen fosters a positive work environment as a whole, says Lai Xing Hui, lead infrastructure engineer, network, at NCS. "It has helped boost my morale and empowers me to contribute positively to my work, my NS commitments, and to communities at large.

"Additionally, the guiding values of NS and ICT such as loyalty, leadership and discipline, serve as a continual reminder of who we are and what we stand for."

For more information on the Total Defence Award, NS Mark Accreditation Scheme and how your company can support NS and your NSman employees, visit www.NSmark.sg.