Giving Local Talent Its Due Place

Daniel Lim, Borneo Bulletin

The Manpower Planning and Employment Council (MPEC) developed the iSkill programme to improve the current energy programme run by the Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) and ensures that each iSkill programme meets the current industry demands.

Serikandi Group of Companies Chairman and Managing Director Shaikh Haji Khalid bin Shaikh Haji Ahmad made this remark during a ceremony at Serikandi Restaurant, Kuala Belait on Friday.

“In other words, to create a more marketable local workforce equipped with relevant skills for the energy sector,” he said.

“The programme’s objective is in agreement with Serikandi’s mission which is to ‘Be one of the top service providers in Brunei aiming to become an EPCM company by 2035 in line with Brunei Vision 2035’. Serikandi is committed to inspiring and developing our employees to reach their full potential through its well-educated and highly skilled individuals.”

The ceremony marked a momentous occasion for the 35 trainees who completed their three-month period at the company as part of their industrial placement programme, with Serikandi Oilfield Services Sdn Bhd organising a closing ceremony for the first cohort under the iSkill Programme.

General Manager of Technical at Serikandi Oilfield Services Sdn Bhd Shamir bin Haji Salahudin, management representative at Serikandi Shaikh Haji Ahmed Khairi bin Shaikh Haji Khalid and IBTE representatives were also present.

Shaikh Haji Khalid said Serikandi is honoured to have the opportunity to be one of the host companies appointed by the MPEC Secretariat to provide trainees with placement for the work exposure, knowledge and skills required in the industry.

He also congratulated the trainees on their completion of the three-month programme at Serikandi.

“For the first cohort of the iSkill programme, Serikandi took ISQ trainees from three disciplines – scaffolding, rigger and marker fitter. The trainees were assigned to two main worksites Sungai Duhon and Sungai Bera – under the Scaffolding, OMIS, CMC and Technical Support Division,” he said.

Shaikh Haji Khalid announced that of the trainees, 14 have been identified as having the aptitude for employment opportunities with the company.

He said, “Serikandi planned to take 14 trainees for the second cohort of iSkill programme to show our continuous support for the MPEC initiative.”

“We are looking forward to developing our local talent,” he added.

Following the speech, the ceremony continued with the handing of certificates to the trainees before concluding with a group photo.

ABOVE & BELOW: Serikandi Group of Companies Chairman and Managing Director Shaikh Haji Khalid bin Shaikh Haji Ahmad and General Manager of Technical at Serikandi Oilfield Services Sdn Bhd Shamir bin Haji Salahudin present a certificate to a trainee; and trainees in a group photo with officers and staff from Serikandi Oilfield Services Sdn Bhd. PHOTOS: SERIKANDI IOLFIELD SERVICES SDN BHD

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