AT AGE 40, while working as a senior prisons officer, Mr Ng Seong Geak was already plotting his next career move.

Keen on Traditional Chinese Medicine, he took a five-year part-time diploma course and got his licence to practice TCM at 47.

But he did not stop there.

At least twice a year, he took no-pay leave for a month each time, to go for lessons in China. He also flew in a tutor from China to check on his practical TCM skills while volunteering at a Tampines clinic.

He got his degree this year, coinciding with his retirement from the prison service, and opened a TCM clinic in Katong Plaza.

Today, at age 52, Mr Ng is a role model of a lifelong learner, whose achievement was highlighted by Manpower Minister Ng Eng Hen.

Said Dr Ng on Friday: 'With good planning and execution, Seong Geak has achieved what he set out to do. He can look forward to a second fulfilling and rewarding career for many years ahead.'

The minister was speaking at a ceremony for the annual Lifelong Learner Awards, introduced in 2002 to recognise individuals and organisations for their zeal for learning.

Dr Ng also told the audience at Raffles Hotel about Mr Mohd Rosdi Mohd Hanafi, 42, who worked his way up from a sailor, enrolled in Singapore Maritime Officers' Union courses and was promoted to marine superintendent.

He went on to obtain an advanced diploma in business management andstudied his way up to a Masters of Science in Maritime Studies from Nanyang Technological University, and is now a lecturer at STET Maritime Education, an institute and unit of Singapore Technologies Electronics.

'Both Seong Geak and Rosdi remind us all that we can take charge of our future; that circumstances do change for the better if we can keep a positive attitude and are prepared to work hard to fulfil our aspirations,' said Dr Ng.

Mr Ng told The Straits Times he decided on a TCM career because it had no age limit. His initial difficulties in understanding the Chinese medical terms made matters worse.

'Then I saw a student who was 68 years old. He still had the drive to come for night classes. And I was only 40. How could I give up?'

Added his wife, Madam Esther Koh, 50: 'He's doing something worthwhile for the family, so I gave him the support by taking care of the children.''

'If you don't slog when you are young, you won't be able to have a comfortable life when you are old.'

Mr Ng was among 16 individuals and six employers chosen out of 1,073 nominees to receive awards from President S R Nathan. Each person got a certificate and $500 cash, and the firms received a plaque.

In acknowledging bosses' efforts in upgrading workers' skills, Dr Ng gave a pat on the back to employers like Alexandra Hospital. It provided training for porters to be patient care associates.

He also praised landscaper Swee Bee Contractor and curry puff chain Old Chang Kee for training their older workers; plane engine repairer Eagle Services Asia for giving its workers exposure in different jobs; DHL Express for having individual training plans for its 500 employees; and Robinsons store for gathering workers every week on the shopfloor to share lessons learnt.

Dr Ng, in his speech, also pledged that the Government 'will continue to create more avenues for workers to up-skill and re-skill and stay relevant to the economy'.