| James Kon |
EQUIPPING the workforce with necessary skills for present and future employment is crucial for the economic growth and development of the country.
To achieve this, the country’s leaders actively work together to establish comprehensive training to address the challenges for the further progress of the Brunei economy, aimed at making it more dynamic and strong, and in continued pursuit of the globalised market – which is based on changes in and the spread of use of technology and innovation.
For each type of employment, competency and efficiency need to be adequately developed – in view of the constantly changing job requirements.
The main challenges faced by each developing nation is increasing responsiveness in its education system, and the development of skills training in accordance with the changing times and in response to challenges faced by jobseekers.
These challenges faced by education institutions in the ever-changing global job market environment, was yesterday highlighted by Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) Central Principal Dr Sheikh Lukman bin Sheikh Abdul Hamid at the orientation ceremony for the new intake of the IBTE Industrial Skills Qualification programme, which was held at the IBTE Mechanical Campus.
“The intake for the Industrial Skills Qualification programme under IBTE has been growing year-to-year and successful applicants for the September 2017 intake has reached 246 students,” Dr Sheikh Lukman said.
“The Industry Competence Framework (ICF)-ISQ is a collaboration between the Energy and Industry Department at the Ministry of Prime Minister’s Office (EIDPMO) and Ministry of Education through IBTE under the Industry Competence Framework strategic plan,” he added.
The programme, he explained, “is offered to students and youths above the age of 18 to enable them to be job-ready to work in Brunei Darussalam’s oil and gas sector. In line with the Brunei Vision 2035 objective of producing educated and highly-skilled individuals, the strategic plan of the Industry Competence Framework is to see new intakes who are able to contribute to the country’s future economic development.”
“In addition, stakeholders in the local industries are playing proactive roles in contributing expertise and knowledge to the students to further build on and realise their full potential,” he added.
Dr Sheikh Lukman also outlined the basics of the framework in producing a skilled and competent workforce.
These include the preparation of a quality and comprehensive core education curriculum as a platform for future training, suitable work placement in line with the supply of skills proficiency for each company and the labour market, as well as allowing employees and companies to adapt to technology and the global market.
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