Bandar Seri Begawan - Over 2,000 jobs for locals in the private sector were up for grabs at the 'Job Opportunity in the Private Sector 2012' week at BRIDEX Hall in Jerudong.

Beginning yesterday until September 13, 2012, the event offers an opportunity to locals to find employment in various industries, namely, wholesale, trade and retail shops. The jobs are open to local job seekers ranging from those with lower qualifications to degree holders.

Some 90 companies are giving their cooperation and commitment by taking part in the career exhibition and the open interviews.

The Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam through the Local Employment and Workforce Development Agency (APTK) of the Ministry of Home Affairs is continuing its efforts to reduce unemployment among locals with the cooperation of the Department of Economic Planning and Development as well as employers in the private sector.

The cooperation includes identifying vacancies, matching employees with posts, interviews, training and provision of incentives, including allowance and bonus for a certain period.

The Job Opportunity in the Private Sector 2012 Week is being held by APTK to enhance the APTK programmes.

Present as the chief guest yesterday was the Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Awg Hj Roslan bin Hj Taja'ah.

Job Opportunity Week is among the programmes to meet the mission of the Ministry, 'Together in Ensuring Excellent Service and Enhancing Welfare and Balanced Socio-Economic Development in the Community'.

Two components are available namely career exhibition and open interview.

The opening ceremony was also highlighted by a career talk by Cikgu Ali Yusri bin Abdul Ghafor entitled 'Give Me Five' which stressed the private sector job opportunities.

It is hoped that the Job Opportunity in the Private Sector Week will give priority to employment hiring and tackle the issue of unemployment in the country. Many private sectors have given cooperation to APTK, especially those who follow the policies that have been stipulated.

Employers were urged to continue to give cooperation and shoulder similar responsibility with the government in tackling unemployment. Local jobseekers should also be serious and committed to seeking jobs offered at the weeklong job fair.

Afero Eswandy Mohamed, the Acting Chairman of the ceremony, said a choosy attitude in acquiring jobs should be shed. But local jobseekers need to think of the appropriate job which is in accordance to their knowledge and skills.

He hoped that agencies or companies who interview the jobseekers would do a follow-up on the status of their application or job choice or course that could be offered.