SAIPAN. In a new safety program initiated by company president Willie Tan, Tan Holdings Corporation (THC) is training 250 of its employees to be better drivers. Over 100 Tan Holdings employees have already passed the 4-hour interactive “THC Defensive Driving” program, which began last month.

The course is being conducted by THC’s Human Resources Training & Development Department in the company’s Lower Base headquarters. It includes a written examination and certification for the firm’s own in-house permit to operate a company vehicle, a new requirement under THC’s safety policy. Anyone who drives a Tan Holdings vehicle must first have a CNMI driver’s license before they can enter the course.

The course is synchronized with a video presentation accredited by the U.S.-based National Safety Council.

“We wanted to increase safety awareness in driving for our employees, as well as emphasize the importance of a proper driving attitude and behavior,” said President Willie Tan.

“The THC Defensive Driving course is a great example of a public-private partnership. I’d like to thank the CNMI Department of Public Safety and National Safety Council for sharing their videos, brochures, handouts and statistics with our Training Department to help us in developing our class,” Tan added.

“We also contacted the National Safety Council out of the U.S. that provides this Defensive Driving interactive program and customized it to be site specific for the CNMI,” said THC Safety & Health Consultant Ron Biggers. “It includes a written test, which requires passing a passing grade of 70% or higher before an employee is issued a permit to drive a company vehicle.”

Participants in the course have also included company employees from throughout Micronesia who use Tan Holdings company vehicles. A refresher course will be offered to employee drivers annually.

Maintenance of the vehicles is also a big part of safety, according to Biggers. As part of the company’s new vehicle usage policy, a maintenance checklist is reviewed for each vehicle before employees are allowed to use it.

Headquartered on Saipan, Tan Holdings Corporation is a diverse holding company with leading operations in 14 industries throughout the Western Pacific.