Bandar Seri Begawan - Ten locals yesterday signed employment agreement contracts to work as permanent staff for two companies after having completed three months of on-the-job training.

The agreement signing was held between the Local Employment and Workforce Development Agency (APTK) and managers of the two companies Sim Kim Huat Trading and Low San Hardware - as well as participants who took part in the Employment Training Scheme for the posts of supervisor, assistant supervisor, cashier, driver, shop assistant and salesperson at the retail, commercial, customer service and wholesale industries.

The scheme comes under the Human Resource Development Fund of the Department of Economic Planning and Development (JPKE).

Witnessing the contract signing was the Brunei-Muara. District Officer, Awg Hj Jamain bin Momin. Also present were the Administrative Officer (Special Grade) at the Ministry of Home Affairs and Head of APTK, Awg Hj Afero Eswandy bin Hj Mohamad.

The event also saw the presentation of certificates of appreciation to the participants. The local job seekers are registered with APTK. They had previously undergone on-the-job training at four companies. In the contract, the locals agreed to work permanently for the respective companies for a two-year period.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in the titah made on the occasion of His Majesty's birthday last year consented for steps to be taken to improve training and job schemes by giving out financial incentives to locals who have been trained, as long as they continue to work in the private sector.

Participants receive 65 per cent financial incentives while undergoing job training and a bonus of B$1,000 in the first year and B$1,500 for working two years in permanent employment.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin