Jobseekers need additional qualifications to be competitive
A DEGREE or a single qualification might not be sufficient for a jobseeker to get the employment they want in today's competitive environment, the Minister of Home Affairs said yesterday.
Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Adanan Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Hj Mohd Yusof said, "Like it or not, we will continue to face changes resulting from globalisation and (advancements in) ICT."
"Additional qualifications in professional areas, good communication skills, creative and innovative thinking skills as well as knowledge in ICT constitute as bonus skills, which can provide added value, allowing jobseekers to be more competitive and marketable," he added.
Speaking at the opening of the fourth edition of the Career Carnival at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas yesterday, the minister also reminded jobseekers not to be dependent on the government for work since vacancies in the public sector were becoming "more limited".
"In this era when work in the public sector is decreasing, the mindset of always looking to the government sector needs to change," he said.
Pehin Dato Hj Adanan stressed that this mindset had to change so that jobseekers would be more inclined towards working in the private sector, which the minister described were the "engines of growth" that contributed to the development of a nation's economy. "We need to chisel away the negative perception of jobs in the private sector, which a percentage (of jobseekers) see as second choice," he said.
Recalling figures recorded in 2008, the minister pointed out that in most industries, it was the foreign nationals who dominated the workforce. Out of 127,410 people working in the private sector in 2008, some 87,867 or 69 per cent were foreign nationals.
The minister noted that it was also the private sector's perception of locals as employees that resulted in the prevalence of foreign nationals in Brunei's private sector workforce. "(Local) employees need to exhibit excellent work performance and always strive towards self-improvement so that the negative perception towards locals working in the private sector as a 'skipping stone' to the public sector can be removed," he said.
"We have to prove that we are also capable of working in any field, to the same level of excellence as these foreign employees," he added.
According to the minister some 5,087 jobseekers registered with the Labour Department as of February this year.With this year's five-day carnival offering 1,245 job positions as walk-in interviews with private sector exhibitors, and the commitment of stakeholders, the minister believed that these vacancies can be filled by locals and thus, reduce unemployment in Brunei. "It is hoped that this Career Carnival 2010 will be able to provide local jobseekers with exposure and awareness for them to grab these opportunities," the minister said, adding that the carnival was also aimed at being a "one-stop centre" to showcase private sector job vacancies.
Labour Commissioner Hjh Rosliah Hj Hasbollah said that 1,261 local jobseekers have registered to attend the seminars.
As for the career clinic, a total of 48 councillors will be on hand to assist jobseekers, as testament to the Labour Department's concern over unemployment among locals, a matter which is "close to the heart", Hjh Rosliah said.
She added that existing training schemes that were originally provided in the Brunei-Muara District only, are now available in Tutong and Belait districts, and will be available in Temburong District in the future.
Article taken from Brunei Times
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