ATDC training makes locals more ‘employable’
Liza Mohd
Unemployment should not occur in Brunei Darussalam as the number of foreign workers in the country is 87,867, according to the annual census of employers and employees wages issued by the Labour Department in 2008 compared to the number of job-seekers which is 4,653, according to the statistics issued by the Research and Planning Section, Labour Department for June this year.
This was stated by the Commissioner of Labour Hjh Rosliah binti Haji Hasbollah at the launching of the Adinin Training Development Centre (ATDC) Youths Training Programme which saw 13 youths selected to take part in a three-month training to provide them with employable skills in the oil and gas industry.
Hjh Rosliah highlighted that the rate of unemployment stands at 3.4 per cent only according to the Brunei Darussalam Key Indicators 2007, issued by the Department of Economic Planning and Development and efforts by the private sector are most welcome to ensure the country’s rate of employment would not rise.
“There are several factors which contribute towards unemployment and among three of them are the unattractive incentives offered by the private sector compared to the public sector such as living allowances, bonus and airfare every three years.
“The second factor is the lack of interest among locals in the appropriate sectors occupied by foreign workers such as construction, mining, quarry and distributor and supplier business sectors. Apart from the two factors, the low qualification levels and lack of skills and experience are also another factor which contributes to unemployment in the country.”
According to the statistics issued by the Research and Planning Section, Labour Department for June 2009, the number of registered job-seekers who have education level of Secondary Five and below is 4,344, which is at 93.1 per cent. The lack of education also affects their opportunities as most of the job-seekers are school-leavers who have no work experiences and skills.
“It is not impossible for employers to willingly employ foreign workers with vast experience in a specific work field although the cost to recruit foreign workers is costlier compared to local workers,” she added.
“Therefore this training will assist local job-seekers to gain employment suited to their interest and skills,” the Commissioner of Labour added.
Meanwhile, Chairman of Adinin Group of Companies Haji Adinin bin Pehin Dato Haji Ibrahim said Brunei is confronted with staggering statistics of unemployed youths and there are more than 2,000 job-seekers alone registered with the Labour Department Kuala Belait.
In view of that ATDC as a training and consultancy company came up with the idea of getting willing youth job-seekers and training them in skills and work attitudes in order to make them more ‘employable’.
He said that ATDC is providing the training free of charge as a sincere manifestation of its social responsibility to the nation and its people.
He also acknowledged the support of the Labour Department Kuala Belait, HSBC and contractor companies in Kuala Belait and Seria who will be accommodating the first batch of trainees for a three-month attachment and possibly, employment after that period.
He emphasised that the training at ATDC is not only to give the trainees the appropriate work skills but also to shape positive work attitude, safe working habits and interpersonal skills.
Notably at the ceremony, HSBC presented $10,000 in contribution towards the purchase of personal safety equipment and travel allowances for the trainees.
On hand to present the mock cheque to Haji Adinin was the CEO of HSBC Brunei Mr Tareq Muhmood.
The training which will be conducted by Dr Jess Ravolo of ATDC is designed to provide the youths with employable skills in the oil and gas industry. After three weeks of training, the youth will undergo a three-month attachment at one of the many companies in KB and Seria.
Companies that are committed to accommodate the participants are Haji Adinin and Sons Sdn Bhd, Adinin Works and Engineering Sdn Bhd, Seadrill Sdn Bhd, Sahid Sdn Bhd, MOC Sdn Bhd, Megalift Sdn Bhd, Swiber Offshore Construction PTY Ltd and Jasra Sdn Bhd.
