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INVESTMENT POTENTIAL
Since the official launch of JobCentre Brunei
(JCB) and i-Ready Apprenticeship Programme in
2017, the unemployment rate has decreased.
From April 2017 to February 2018, the number
of local jobseekers with a Bachelor’s Degree
registered at JCB dropped by 27 per cent from
2,329 to 1,700. Whereas from April 2017 to
December 2017, the number of local jobseekers
with qualifications of lower secondary and below
registered at JCB dropped by nine per cent from
5,298 to 4,813.
JCB is a one-stop career centre where locals
apply for jobs in the private sector. They offer
career counselling, online training, digital
literacy, and assistance on CV writing and
interviews. They provide interviewing rooms,
meeting rooms and auditorium facilities for
micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME).
iReady commenced in April 2017. Apprentices
are mentored and assessed for three years.
Companies may permanently employ an
apprentice at any time.
To apply for the I-Ready Apprenticeship
Programme, applicants must be citizens or
permanent residents of Brunei, and graduates
(degree and above) registered at JCB, with little
to no working experience. There is no age limit.
Apprenticeship slots will be advertised on JCB.
On February 22, 2018, 1,263 graduates were
involved in iReady. A total of 146 iReady
apprentices have obtained permanent jobs in the
government, private sector and statutory boards.
To further increase employment, the Industry
Competency Framework (ICF) has been
introduced to train jobseekers. After completing
the training, trainees will receive Conditional
Offer of Employment (COE).
To accommodate trainees, Centre of the
Capacity Building (PPK) was built in September
2017. In January 2018, 619 trainees completed
their courses at PPK, with 616 employed at Pulau
Muara Besar.
From April 2017 to December 2017, the number
of local jobseekers with technical and vocational
education and training (TVET) qualifications
registered at JCB dropped from 3,665 to 2,996 –
a decrease of 18 per cent.
SKILLED WORKFORCE