Azlan Othman
Several senior government officers undergoing the 29th Executive Development Programme for Senior Government Officers (EDPSGO) are assisting the differently-abled in securing employment.
Under their Ikhlas community outreach programme which began in early this month, at least 12 candidates have been interviewed by employers to be given the opportunity to work in local restaurants.
Yesterday, one candidate, Aiman Rahiman, signed a contract with Sate House Restaurant in Kiulap.
Other companies that have granted interviews include Emas Gemilang Employment Agency, SCR Xpress, Zaitoon Biriyani and Grills and Ar Ruhma Restaurant and Catering.
The outreach programme targets pre-vocational students under the Ministry of Education (MoE) who are identified as employable people with different abilities.
Students of the MoE pre-vocational programme are also registered under the Manpower Planning and Employment Council (MPEC) as individuals who are looking for employment opportunities.
The programme collaborated with the Brunei Food and Beverage Association (BFBA), government and non-government agencies to identify as many potential pre-vocational students for probationary employment in the food industry such as restaurants, and hope that they will be given permanent or contract employment.
The students have completed their pre-vocational course and equipped with basic life skills to live independently and basic literacy and numeracy.
The economic downturn combined with the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the already limited employment opportunities for this group.
An objective of the project is to ensure that this community is not neglected in terms of wellbeing and also to empower the group to live independently.
The programme also aimed at creating awareness among the public and employers that the differently abled can contribute to the society and the country.
