Bandar Seri Begawan - In an effort to produce quality human resources, which is needed among youths in order to contribute to the nation's need for economic development and progress, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports through the Youth Development Centre will continuously evaluate the job market demands to ensure appropriate courses are offered.

This was stated by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Hazair bin Haji Abdullah at the certificate presentation ceremony for trainees of the Youth Development Programme and Short- Term Programme 2011-2012 Session, held at Youth Development Centre yesterday.

The minister said the Youth Development Centre will actively identify several potential industrial sectors for the provision of job opportunities to youths, especially trainee of the centre.

The minister hopes the centre will continue to enhance the effort to find space and opportunity, especially in efforts to market the human resources produced by the centre. He added that the centre needs to enhance its cooperation with stakeholders and strategic partners in an effort to produce more quality trainees.

The minister was pleased to see that within a period of six months following the completion of courses, 74 per cent of the trainees have obtained employment, began businesses, and/or furthered their studies.

Among the industries that have been identified for creating relevent courses include oil and gas, transportation, hotel, creativity, as well as technology and information communications.

Meanwhile, the intake for the AutoCAD course will be increased to three times a year due to popular demand.

With regard to the entrepreneurial field, the minister said that the implementation of the Youth Skill Development Programme between the Alcoa Company, Brunei Economic Development Board and Youth Development Centre has successfully produced a total of seven new companies a positive step towards cultivating entrepreneurs.

Also present at the event were the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports; Permanent Secretaries and Deputy Permanent Secretary at the ministry with the Acting Assistant Director of the Youth Development Centre.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin