Rokiah Mahmud
In conjunction with the Energy Week as part of the Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition 2022 (Brunei MYCE 2022), Brunei LNG Sdn Bhd held a signing ceremony for the in-service trainees (Second Intake) of the Apprenticeship Programme under EmployAbility, a Brunei LNG social investment flagship at the Musyawarah Hall of International Convention Centre in Berakas yesterday.
Nine in-service trainees, comprising four scaffolders, three marker-fitters and two riggers from Adinin Works and Engineering Sdn Bhd and Tendrill International Sdn Bhd, were selected to be reskilled at the registered training organisations (RTOs) for three months followed by four months of on-the-job training.
Minister of Home Affairs Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman attended.
The ceremony commenced with welcoming remarks from Brunei LNG Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hajah Farida binti Dato Seri Paduka Haji Talib.
Permanent Secretary of the Department of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Haji Azhar bin Haji Yahya highlighted the importance of having a highly skilled Bruneian workforce in the energy sector and called to ensure that Bruneians are able to leverage employment opportunities at all levels.
He commended the initiatives taken by Brunei LNG for the establishment and their full sponsorship of the EmployAbility programme as well as Adinin Works and Engineering, Tendrill International, Zainal Daud and Exceltech Solutions Sdn Bhd for their participation.
Minister of Home Affairs Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman with officials and trainees during the signing ceremony. PHOTOS: BAHYIAH BAKIR
“The Department of Energy will continue to support the initiatives as they are aligned with the department’s Bruneianisation and local business development directives to maximise employment opportunities for the locals.
“Through the industry apprenticeship, we hope to close the gap in the mismatch of supply and demand of skills in the industry, whereby trainees will be assessed by registered independent assessors to obtain accredited certification and that will help to increase their marketability,” he said.
He added that EmployAbility will help address current shortages of local pools of certain skills or jobs thus increasing local employment, while improving the skills and capabilities of the local Bruneian workforce.
In addition, the programme serves as a good proof of concept for the Manpower Industry Steering Committee (MISC), which will launch the National Apprenticeship Programme this year.
He also looks forward to collaboration across all sectors nationwide to replicate and implement such a concept.
Meanwhile, Adinin Works and Engineering Executive Director Law Xiao Song said the programme supports the investment and development of their human capital, increase the employees’ value in the organisation and empowers the individuals to develop their own career and personal growth plans.
Managing Director of Tendrill International Haryati binti Ramlee said participating in the EmployAbility programme will help the company close the local employee’s competency gap in specific skill sets while strengthening the ability of local employees to adapt to changing market demands.