BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: As part of the ongoing effort by the Local Employment and Workforce Development Agency (APTK) in offering local jobseekers with suitable job skills and experience, as well as promoting interest in working under the private sector, 42 candidates signed a three-month On-The-Job-Training (OJT) contract under APTK’s Training and Employment Scheme (SLP) with two private agencies during a signing ceremony yesterday that took place at Mawar Hall of the Belait Government Complex Building, Borneo Bulletin reported.
A total of 12 SLP candidates have signed under Mashhor General Contractor Sdn Bhd for their BLNG-Coating Rejuvenation Project as General Helper (Trainee Insulator) while another 30 SLP candidates have signed under Soon Lee Megamart, filling in various positions in their shops.
The OJT programme is the first stage of SLP, whereby participants will go through on-the-job training with their respective employers while their allowances will be provided based on the salary given; 35 per cent to be paid by the employer and 65 per cent by the government for three-months. At the same time, the government will also be covering insurance for the participants.
After they have successfully completed their on-the-job training, there will be an Employment Contract Agreement signing ceremony between APTK, employers and the participants, to agree to have the participants work full time with their respective companies for a period of two years.
During an interview with the Sunday Bulletin, Awg Jefridin Hj Mohammad, Assistant Project Manager of Mashhor General Contractor Sdn Bhd, stated that the candidates have to pass an interview process before proceeding with pre-boarding under the company and pass induction under Brunei LNG Sdn Bhd. They also have to attend classes on introduction to insulation by the company, and will be attached to their BLNG-Coating Rejuvenation Project under the cladding or insulation section.
Prior to the signing ceremony, employers and participants were given a presentation on APTK’s SLP by Awg Hj Ibrahim bin Hj Mokhtar and Hjh Ruslilawati binti Hi Judin, Labour Inspectors from APTK.
Signing the contract on behalf of Mashhor General Contractor Sdn Bhd was its HR Manager, Awg Mohd Hazwiezan bin Hj Nawaie, while signing on behalf of Soon Lee Megamart was its Manager, Mr Patrick Ong.
The main objective of SLP is to nurture local jobseekers’ interest in working permanently for the private sector. It also serves to reduce employers’ dependency towards foreign workers by prioritising local jobseekers. As the participants are mostly school leavers with low level of education, with the scheme, it will allow them to secure a better future by providing them with relevant skills.