Izah Azahari
Outreach programmes, easing access to JobCentre Brunei (JCB) services across all districts, providing job-matching services and recruitment drives have resulted in over 4,000 locals being employed and securing apprenticeships in both the public and private sectors as of October 2022, said Head of Manpower Planning and Employment Council (MPEC) Secretariat Dr Hajah Siti Haziah binti Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin.
“This would not have been possible without the continuous support from the public and private sectors,” she said at the opening ceremony of Recruitment Fair 2022 at Bridex International Conference Centre in Jerudong yesterday.
The MPEC Head reiterated the importance of strong and cohesive partnership and collaboration between the public and private sectors to increase the number of locals into the workforce and to achieve Brunei Vision 2035.
With this in mind and in supporting MPEC’s Vision, JCB has carried out a number of initiatives and programmes to facilitate an inclusive and progressive labour market, allowing businesses access to manpower needed for their recovering growth.
She shared that the Recruitment Fair, participated by 33 government agencies and 125 private companies offering more than 2,500 vacancies, aims to provide a platform for local jobseekers to interact with participating agencies to seek for employment and also as a platform to provide guidance to the local workforce as they navigate through their career journey.
Dr Hajah Siti Haziah also highlighted Recruitment Fair’s showcase of job opportunities for people with different abilities.
“The aspiration behind this is to foster a sense of belonging, participation and contribution to society. We believe everyone can have a career, and are important members of the workforce.
“From this, we hope to also increase jobseekers’ and companies’ awareness and knowledge through exchanging the best practices for an inclusive workplace across different organisations.” The event was organised by the MPEC Secretariat, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Minister of Home Affairs Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman as a member of the MPEC, was the guest of honour to officiate the opening ceremony.
Deputy Minister (Civil Service Governance) at the PMO Dato Seri Paduka Mohd Riza bin Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yunos and Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy (Fiscal) Pengiran Datin Seri Paduka Hajah Zety Sufina binti Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Sani were also in attendance.
The event also saw a speech by the guest of honour prior to the launching of Recruitment Fair 2022 and concluded with the guest of honour touring the exhibitions by participating agencies.
The Recruitment Fair is open to the public, especially jobseekers, until November 27 from 9am to 5pm, except on Friday from 2.30pm until 5pm at Hall 1 and 2.
