THE Heavy Machinery Driving Course conducted at the Youth Development Centre (PPB) achieved a 100 per cent employment rate since the course was introduced in 2012.

Acting Deputy Director of the PPB, Haji Haswandi bin Haji Osman said 123 students graduated the course through seven intakes.

He revealed the figures yesterday in a ceremony to present certificates and signing of employment contacts for 24 PPB trainees that successfully completed the seventh Heavy Vehicles Driving Course.

Dr Haji Supry bin Haji Awang Ladi, Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications, handed over the certificates as guest of honour. The ceremony was held at the Civil Service Institute (IPA).

The course was implemented by PPB together with the Energy and Industry Department at the Prime Minister’s Office and Institute of Brunei Technical Education under the Energy Industry Competency Framework.

Megamas Training Company Sdn Bhd was selected as the course consultant since participating in the programme in 2013.

Haji Haswandi explained that students who are part of the PPB Heavy Machinery Driving course undertake two months of practical training and three months of industrial placements, and are qualified to work upon completion of the course.

He was happy to note that the seventh intake saw five additional companies that agreed to take in the trainees, showing a “good support” to the course, and there had been a demand by them for these heavy vehicle driving graduates with every intake.

The graduates currently receive driving licenses in Classes 4, 5, 6, 2/11 (for trailer driving), as well as certificates in defensive driving, occupational four-wheel driving, bus driver training, lorry mounted crane (HIAB) driving as well as rigging and slinging.

All trainings conducted are accredited by Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and St John Ambulance Australia.

The day also saw the signing of contract employment between the graduates and participating companies.

Among the participating companies for the seventh intake include Brunei Transportation Company, Megalife Sdn Bhd, Razali Amat Company, Readymix Concrete (B) Sdn Bhd, Q-Techline Transportation Services, Sinotrans (B) Sdn Bhd, Muara Port Company, Adinin Works and Engineering Sdn Bhd, Shanghai Third Harbour Benteng Construction and Engineering and Rekayasa Inovasi Company Sdn Bhd.

Ramli Abit, 34, who was awarded the ‘Best Trainee’ said that safety was the most important aspect taught during training to avoid any unwanted mishaps.

 

Borneo Bulletin
25 January 2018