A TOTAL of 150 youth aged 18 to 25 years yesterday completed the ICT Youth Development Programme (ICT YDP) making them more marketable for employment.
Their graduation certificates were presented by Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohd Yasmin bin Haji Umar, Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office, in a ceremony held at the E-Government National Centre.
The ICT Youth Development Programme is a collaboration project of E-Government National Centre (EGNC), the main organiser, Authority for Info-Communications Technology Industry (AITI), Ministry of Education, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Brunei Economic Development Board, Local Employment and Workforce Development Agency and Department of Economic Planning and Development.
The programme was launched as an alternative education channel for youths especially school leavers who obtained 4 ‘O’ Level or less and are enthusiastic about information and communication technology (ICT) development.
The three-month programme consists of three-month class training and three-month work attachment. In order to better equip the participants with real working life experience, they will be sent for work attachment to various ICT companies to work as apprentice for three months.
Muhammad Norshafiee bin Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Jalil, Director of E-Government National Centre in his welcoming remark said as many as 63 participants of the programme have already found jobs in various industries. Eight are currently furthering their studies while 84 participants are in the process of seeking permanent employment.
He also said the E-Government National Centre has been carrying out further initiatives to provide assistance to youth in getting employment through counseling session as well as career advice.
Two participants of the programme were awarded distinction certificates.
They are Dayangku Siti Norafizah binti Pengiran Aminorizam (IT professional) and Najib Ahmad (information worker).
Members of the public who wish to know about the application process for the next ICT YDP intake can log on to www.ydp.gov.bn
By Amanda Yap
Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin