BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

A TOTAL of 130 students of the newly introduced Higher National Technical Education Certificates (HNTEC) and National Certificates (NTEC) began their orientation at Institute Brunei Technology Education Pusat Latihan Mekanik (IBTE PLM) campus yesterday.

Welcoming the 98 male and 32 female students of the first intake was Acting Principal of IBTE PLM campus Dr Sheikh Lukman Abdul Hamid.

He said the four new courses offered are geared to the technical skills required in the sultanate.

Eleven students enrolled in the HNTec in Automotive Technology, 22 in NTec Heavy Vehicle Mechanic, 47 in Ntec in Apprenticeship Automotive Technician and 50 in NTec Light Vehicle Mechanic.

Completing the courses could make the graduates ready for the future job market in Brunei.

“It is hoped that the unemployment rate could be reduced by opening these opportunities to the local youths,” Dr Sheikh Lukman said.

He added that former graduates have went on to find employment in both the private and public sectors. “There are even some who are currently doing freelance work in their related fields.”

Most of the new intake are Year 11 school leavers with two or three passes in the Brunei-Cambridge GCE O-level examinations.

Student Ishamudin Ghani said he is determined to hone his skills to the highest level starting with doing NTec in Apprenticeship Automotive Technician.

“The course takes two years and after that I plan to proceed to HNTec and higher level of education. It will take time, but I believe it will be worth it,” the 17-year-old said.

Coursemate Dk Fatin Nurhazirah Pg Khaliddi said the course would give them a valuable hands-on experience.

“We will spend 12 months in the academic session and then 12 months doing work attachments,” she explained. “It will give me a chance to see the real working conditions. A year training in the field would hopefully give me a solid foundation to enter the work force in the future.”

The opening of the four-day orientation yesterday was attended by Director of Land Transport Department (JPD) Dr Hj Supry Hj Ag Ladi as the guest of honour.

Other skills introduced at IBTE PLM this year were Professional Drivers, Rig crew for Drilling & Well Services, and Blaster & Painters as part of its Industrial Skills Qualifications (ISQ) courses. The mechanic training centre was first established in 1986.

The Brunei Times