Bandar Seri Begawan - Efforts to generate employment in the country were given a boost Thursday as a total of 45 youths graduated from the On-The-Job Training (OJT) under the Training and Employment Scheme for the shop labourer, cashier, driver, waiter and cleaner jobs, and were presented certificates in a ceremony held at the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The guest of honour at the ceremony was Legislative Council member YB Awg Hj A Ahmad bin Hj Hussin, who presented the certificates to the graduates.

The highlight of the event was the contract signing between the Local Employment and Workforce Development Agency (APTK) and private firms. The contract signing for permanent jobs for duration of 2 years was also under the Training and Employment Scheme, organised by APTK.

Amongst the 11 firms taking part were Aris Jaya Sdn Bhd, Triple Star Sdn Bhd, Neo Metro, Pustaka Remaja Sdn Bhd, Kheng Juan and Hi Speed Enterprise.

The participants are contractually bonded to work for two years and will be given monetary incentives by the Government of His Majesty the Sultan. They will be given $1,000 for the 1" year and $1,500 for the following year.

APTK was represented by Awg Mawardi bin Hj Mohammad, the Head of APTK, while the firms were represented by their respective managements at the contract signing. YB Awg Hj A Ahmad witnessed the signing.

The event was attended by Dato Paduka Dr Hj Affendy bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Awg Hj Abidin, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, and other officials from the ministry, as well as parents and family members of the participants.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin