HR pool 'not enough' for dev't

FOREIGN workers may still be needed in the early phases of developing Brunei industries due to the Sultanate's lack of diverse skills for a knowledge-based economy.

The challenge for Brunei would be the growth of its necessary skills base, said Sasha Lennon, director of SGS Economics and Planning, the appointed consultants for a study on the optimisation of land for industrial and commercial development.

But "at the moment the education sector is such that there is no incentive for students to study entrepreneurship", he said.

Lennon told The Brunei Times that as the majority of students study humanities, religious studies or policy studies, most of them enter a job in the government to the detriment of the private sector's growth, which he stressed was integral in attracting foreign direct investment.

"Brunei doesn' t have a very diverse skills base. While people in Brunei who are educated are highly skilled there is not actually a lot of them by international standard. There are not enough of them with enough skills, that' s one of the biggest challenges."

In this light, Lennon said Brunei "is going to have to import some of the skills while at the same time focusing very hard on developing the local skills base".

He added: "We think, from our discussions so far, that that is recognised. I think the challenge will be putting in place very specific strategies to ensure that Brunei produces the right sort of skills to work in the right sort of industries."

As the Sultanate is gearing towards the skills-based economy and dealing with limited land space for development, Lennon said advanced business services and creative industries would be sustainable as they do not require a lot of land space and would be located in the capital, which would further spur commercialisation in the city.

Asked what industry was most viable for Brunei, Lennon said, "It's not a case of us choosing two or three over the rest, we feel there needs to be a concerted effort to grow all of the industries."

He did say, however, that "in terms of what is probably most achievable in the short term, we need to put this through a proper assessment test, but we would probably suggest certain sectors to be focused on for short-term gain".

Lennon noted the energy sector as a possible place to start, "building on existing strengths and the competitive advantage, as Brunei actually has skills, expertise and history there".

The education sector, he added, would be a beneficial focal point "to grow the skills-based economy". He lauded current efforts as "doing a lot of good".

The study by SGS takes a snapshot of the country's existing landscapes through a lens for commercial and industrial growth. The first of its three phases will be concluded by the end of the month.

"We have to look at the study in the context of the broader Brunei economy so it's sort of an economic development strategy and a land-use plan," Lennon said.

In strategising for optimal land usage, Lennon said it was essential to take into account three "pillar strategies": Education, Training & Skills Formation; Innovative & Collaborative Governance and Enterprise Growth from Within.

He said each pillar was integral in policy development.

Phase Two of the study will start by August, and Phase Three will be in October and into the next year where SGS will be finalising its recommended strategies.

The Brunei Times