James Kon
There has been a spike in demand for IT experts around the world, said Acting Chief Executive of the Authority for Infocommunications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI) Ir Haji Jailani bin Haji Buntar during the launch of the latest Coding.bn course, organised by AITI with support from Manpower Industry Steering Committee Working Group of ICT Sector (MISC-WG-ICT) yesterday.
He said the Fourth Industrial Revolution has led to an increasing demand for IT experts with niche skills as every business is embracing the new technological era as a means to gain a competitive edge.
He explained that the ranks of “software programmers or coders are growing, with coding being integrated almost everywhere, not only across businesses but also in our lives.
“The wide availability of smartphones has generated opportunities for people to create technology-centric businesses. Every sector offers niche opportunities where apps and other programs make jobs easier and processes more efficient”.
He also said since the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, the world of work has been transforming by technology at an increasing pace. Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), robotics technology, data analytics, immersive media, 3D printing and cybersecurity are among the new elements that have begun to take hold of the existing job functions and systems.
From self-driving cars to drone-delivered online shopping, he said that new technologies are changing how people live, work, and communicate.
“More and more jobs opportunities with specialised competencies are required. We therefore need to prepare our workforce today with skills to stay relevant for future job markets.”
He also said that AITI has appointed Recap Sdn Bhd as the facilitator to run Coding.bn by bringing in both local and overseas experts as well as mentors to train participants as well as engage potential hosting or hiring companies to take up trainees as potential employees.
Coding.bn “was built upon the success of AITI’s upskilling pilot programme that started last year with only 15 unemployed youth as participants”, he said, adding that the youth were trained for three months and taught with fundamental programming languages such as HTML, CSS, React, ReactJS and NodeJS. Ninety-three per cent have since secured jobs in the infocommunication and technology industry.
The six-month course, launched yesterday by Deputy Minister of Energy and Chairman of AITI Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Matsatejo bin Sokiaw, will begin on Monday, participated by 36 youth.
Also present at the launch were Legislative Council member Yang Berhormat Siti Rozaimeriyanty binti Dato Seri Laila Jasa Haji Abd Rahman and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications Haji Mohammad Nazri bin Haji Mohammad Yusof.