Bandar Seri Begawan, Thursday 22 July 2010.

The BEDB (Brunei Economic Development Board) today launched the Youth Skills Development Program 2010/2011, which saw the participation of new stakeholders from the Business School and the Department of Schools.

The program is now in its third consecutive year and is run by the Youth Development Resources,  a public-private partnership between the BEDB, Alcoa Inc, Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) and Petroleum-Geo-Services (PGS).

A Director of the Youth Development Resources (YDR) and Assistant CEO of the BEDB, Pg Aki Ismasufian bin Pg Ibrahim commended The Youth Skills Development Program as a positive step towards the development of Brunei’s youth. He said “the BEDB, through YDR, is committed to investing in our youth as we believe they are our biggest asset in the future development of Brunei. Through such programs we are giving young people from less priviledged backgrounds the opportunity to prove their capability as productive members of society”.

Through its three key elements the Youth Skills Development Program aims to help Brunei’s less priviledged youth to succeed in either starting up their own business or in becoming skilled members of the workforce. Firstly, Motivational Talks to raise self esteem and confidence. Secondly, a Business Mentorship Program where successful local entreprenuers share their knowledge and experience with the participants through a series of training workshops. Thirdly, a  Business Micro Grant Scheme to help participants who are serious about starting their own business.

The 100 participants registered for this year’s program comprise graduates of the Youth Development Centre, residents of Taman Nurhidayah, as well as students of the Business School and recommended participants from the Department of Schools. The program will run from July 2010 to March 2011.

Present at the event held in Rizqun International Hotel Gadong, was the guest of honour Yang Mulia Datin Hjh Adina binti Othman, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

The ceremony began with welcoming remarks by Dato Paduka Timothy Ong, Acting Chairman of the BEDB, followed by a speech by Datin Hajah Adina. A briefing on the Youth Skills Development Program was delivered by Dk Dina Pg Omarali, Account Manager, Stakeholder Relations Division of the BEDB who is also a member of YDR. The event concluded with a motivational talk by renowned Malaysian speaker Dr Mohd Shukri Abdullah, who spoke on recognising self-potential.

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Press Contact: Emma Agaki (emma.agaki@bedb.com.bn)