Basic computer skills key to getting jobs

SHORT courses focused on teaching specific computer skills are critical for keeping up to date and for learning skills that get people jobs, Sheikh Lukman, the Head of Mechanical Department at Sultan Saiful Rijal Technical College (MTSSR), told The Brunei Times yesterday.

In facing global challenges and the fast pace of technology, it is essential to have knowledge about computers and the skills to use them, he said.

The MTSSR currently offers courses open to the public on how to use Microsoft Office proficiently, with special focus on Word and Excel, two of the most widely-used programmes in the working world.

The courses are only 25 hours and classes are held mostly on Fridays and Sundays so people who already have jobs can attend.

"The most common courses undertaken are learning Microsoft Word and Excel applications," said Sheikh Lukman.

"Although utilising this word processor is fairly easy to use, most of us do not know the proper and standard way of using the functions available in the software programme," he said.

During October and November, a total of only 13 people attended the MS Office 2007 and AutoCad 2009 courses at the college's Student Resource Centre.

Fresh graduate Nurul Hayat Hj Mohd Kassim, 26, who had just completed her degree course in Arabic language at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), was one of the 13 people who opted to undertake the MS Office 2007 course that began on October 9.

"I have always been interested in computer studies, and decided to take this short course because I knew it would benefit me in the future as I am seeking to apply for administrative or clerical work," she said.

Nurul Hayat explained that there are different versions of MS Office currently in use, it was crucial for her to keep up to date with the different functions and how to use them.

The positive feedback from potential employers has been immediate. Nurul Hayat went for a job interview just yesterday morning. She said her interviewers were "pleased" that she took the course.

"I feel equipped with skills now and I think students, especially at UBD, should take these kinds of courses because it also helps them when it comes to doing their assignments," she added.

Siti Mardiah Nurudin, a 23-year-old private school teacher, agreed. "I took this course because I wanted to learn more about using MS Office. I realised that both the public and private sectors needed employees who were skilled in using computer programmes," she said.

She added that during many interviews she had with prospective employers before obtaining the job as a teacher, all of them asked whether she had skills in using MS Office. "At least now, I can say I feel I do have the necessary skills in using MS Word and Excel.

"I would like to encourage those who are already working, to continue to take short courses like these so they will always be updated with these computing skills as it is very helpful," she said.

"Especially for someone who works in an environment that demands the use of word processing continuously throughout the day, these courses are very useful," Sheikh Lukman said.

All 13 students who completed the courses were awarded certificates acknowledging their achievement.

The Brunei Times