*Written by Hasrul aka Billabong at (www.bruneistudent.com)
Hey everyone, Alot of people on these forums, including myself, are pretty new to finding work after you graduated or you probably are studying at an institution right now and you probably have thought about where you will be working once you have finally completed your studies. I have noticed I could not found any single thread with regards to work/employment in Brunei student, I decided to start a thread on one. So everyone who wants information can read and if anyone else has other useful advice please add them to this thread. I hope these become of use to people and help them get information they require
Firstly, I just completed my undergraduate study in the UK, and found that information that is available for me in the search to find employment in Brunei Darussalam is lacking or perhaps non-existent. I tried googling and searching for publications, and even tried searching if I could locate a careers adviser office here in Brunei but to no avail. I have resort on asking around relatives, parents and reading on careers information available in the UK, but by no means is one hundred percent relevant with Brunei.
Main employer in Brunei - The public sector or Government
As many of you know, many Bruneians studying at the moment dream of bagging a full-time job with the public sector. If I am not mistaken about 50% of the local workforce population works with the government. No surprises there, but there have been concerns on too much reliance towards the Government as the major employer in Brunei. With all the incentives given and nationally competitive salaries proof to be a major attraction for graduates.
So how do you find vacancies available in the public sector?
Well the first thing you would go is to look at Pelita Brunei newspaper, the ANEKA section, there is a section which details the job vacancies provided with description of duties and salary scale details. If you do not have the newspaper around in the house, not to worry, do check at the Pelita Brunei website at http://www.brunet.bn/news/pelita/ and click on "Iklan-iklan Jawatan Kosong" Information is outdated - As of 1st August 2011 - the site to go to is http://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/ikerja.htm. That should give you an idea of what sort of jobs are available in the public sector and what sort of qualification you would need in order to apply and qualify for the interview.
Current salary scale within the Government
I start with the lowest going up to the highest you could go, do correct me if I am wrong in this, as I am no expert with the salary scale details as regulated by the Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam.
School Leavers
E1 - E3 - The salary ($515 - $875 SEBULAN) - The minimum qualifications for this salary is a pass in Penilaian Menengah Bawah (PMB) and Peperiksaan Sekolah Ugama Darjah VI ( Sijil Sekolah Rendah Ugama).
D2 - The salary ($650 - $1,125 SEBULAN) - The minimum qualifications for this salary is 4 Kepujian/Kredit mata pelajaran Sijil Am Pelajaran Brunei-Cambridge Peringkat Biasa or 4 'O's in GCE O Level
Technical College diplomates
D3 - The salary ($900 - $1,625 SEBULAN) - The minimum qualifications for this salary is BDTVEC/BTEC Sijil Kebangsaan Peringkat Biasa (NC) or the National Certificate which you would get from studying in the Technical Colleges, MTSSR, Prince Jefri Engineering College, Brunei Business School, Gadong and the Nakhoda Ragam College.
D4 - The salary ($1,225 - $1,625 SEBULAN) - The minimum qualifications for this salary is BDTVEC/BTEC Diploma Kebangsaan Peringkat Biasa (ND) or the National Diploma which you would also get from Technical Colleges in Brunei, MTSSR, Brunei Business School, Prince Jefri Engineering College etc.
C1 - The salary ($1,280 - $2,270 SEBULAN) - The minimum qualifications for this salary is BDTVEC/BTEC Sijil Tertinggi Kebangsaan (HNC) or the Higher National Certificate, again you would get it from the Technical Colleges listed previously.
C2 - The salary ($1,450 - $2,270 SEBULAN) - The minimum qualifications for this salary is BDTVEC/BTEC Sijil Tertinggi Kebangsaan (HNC) or the Higher National Certificate.
C3 - The salary ($1,990 - $2,970 SEBULAN) - The minimum qualifications for this salary is BDTVEC/BTEC Diploma Tertinggi Kebangsaan (HND) or the Higher National Diploma. Normally you will obtain the qualification from ITB or overseas.
University Graduates
B.2 EB.3 ($2,270 - $4,240 SEBULAN) - The minimum qualifications for this salary is Ijazah Sarjana Muda or Undergraduate Degree. Normally obtained from studying in UBD or other Universities overseas.
B.3 ($3,880 - $4,240 SEBULAN) - The minimum qualifications for this salary is the Master's Degree. Normally obtained from studying in UBD or other Universities after completing up an Undergraduate degree.
Normally the job vacancy advertised in Pelita Brunei are for the "gaji-bulan" positions meaning that you will get paid holidays, and an employment contract which requires you to work at a minimum period of time and usually incentives will be provided with the job.
The process of applying is usually by obtaining the SPA1 or SPA2 application form. You can get this for free from the Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam in Brunei-Muara district or the respective District Offices in other districts besides Brunei-Muara. You will have to follow with the application deadlines and attached your education qualifications to date. You will then submit this back to the Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam from this all your personal information and qualifications will be input as data in their computer database. Applicants which satisfy the minimum education qualifications will automatically be selected from non-qualified ones from the computer and to be sent to other Ministries that have posted the vacancy advertisement.
After which, applicants are often asked to call in to undertake an entrance examination, normally for competitive job positions. Those with high marks will then be called for Interview. Normally at this stage, about 8-18 interviewees will be called for one position advertised.
The process for "gaji-hari" positions is different than "gaji-bulan", with these you will not get paid holidays with the exception of public holidays, some incentives may not be provided but I believe allowances such as transport allowance and "sara-hidup" allowance will be included with the job. Normally seen as the one where the job security is less than "gaji-bulan" but nonetheless cases of people being fired are uncommon. This "gaji-hari" positions are ideal for applicants who want the ease of quitting the job at any time since the work contract is not as extensive as the "gaji-bulan".
Normally, this positions are not well advertised. One has to have insider information or contacts or perhaps to personally call in and speak with the departments in order to determine whether there are vacancies within the department. The proper way to apply is by writing a letter and posting it to the relevant Directors of the department, make sure to attached your highest education qualification in the letter. Usually you would not be able to hear a response from them, but you could always call in or telephone to enquire about your application status. This process can be complicated as the departments may need to conduct a meeting with the board of directors & officers. Most importantly the issue would be if the department have the budget to afford to employ you.
One way to find the correct person for the letter to be addressed to is by checking out the phone directory, there you will find extensive departments and their phone numbers. The next thing you would do is perhaps to call and get their addresses, you could ask if they are hiring also. Personally with the ease of the internet, I would just go to Government, Ministries websites and obtain the relevant information.
Interested in teaching? The procedures of becoming a teacher
The Government of Brunei are building new primary, secondary schools, sixth form colleges and technical colleges with the implementation of the National Education Plan 07 - 11 (correct me if I am wrong) as stated in the Ministry of Education website. So there is the national demand for teachers at the moment to educate the minds of the next Bruneian generation.
UBD have indeed specialised in providing degrees in relation to teaching, as well as Diplomas and Certificates. Just have a look at the SHIBIE webpage and you will find the range of qualifications available for you to study and fulfill your ambition to be a teacher.
Routes to Teaching
(1) Bachelor of Education
Length: 4 Years
Qualified to Teach: Primary OR Secondary
Notes: This option lets you focus on the academic study of education, and you’ll go into a lot of depth on things like the psychology, philosophy and sociology of education as well as assessment practices, political and legal frameworks. You’ll normally do a series of teaching placements spread over the course – which will give you lots of time to hone your particular approach to teaching and enter the profession as a more skilful practitioner. However, you’ll have fewer opportunities to learn about your chosen subject area - limiting your employment opportunities and your subject-knowledge for when you teach.
Advantages
Deep and rigorous study of education as an academic subject – provides a good insight into learning theory, assessment techniques, politics and philosophy of education, etc. Gives you a good head start if you want to become a really good, innovative teacher.
Lots of teaching practice (spread over the course), lets you develop your style and confidence.
Some schools (especially primaries) will prefer this qualification – but this is becoming less and less the case.
Disadvantages
Less focus on your chosen subject specialism, and thus a less thorough understanding of subject knowledge.
Potential career limitations (but this isn’t a major issue).
(2) Degree in Main Subject + PGCE
Length: 4 years + 1 year
Qualified to Teach: Primary, Secondary or Sixth Form look carefully at the PGCE specification.
Notes: This is, by far, the most popular way of entering teaching. Get your degree first, and then apply again to UBD for a place on their PGCE. You’ll then typically do two “blocks” of teaching (the university will find your placements) and three blocks of lectured input, where you’ll complete assignments and learn about teaching approaches, planning, implementation and assessment and the legal and political frameworks which shape education.
Advantages
Development of solid knowledge of your chosen subject
Relatively good emotional and academic support when doing your teaching practice
Disadvantages
Only a basic coverage of educational theory – you’ll need to use insets and general reading to extend your knowledge if you want to be really innovative.
Reduced timetable whilst doing teaching practice doesn’t give you a proper experience of teaching workload.
(3) Diploma in Education as provided by SHIBIE Department, UBD
Length: 2.5 - 3 years
Qualified to Teach: Primary or Lower Secondary
(4) Higher National Diploma + Certificate in Technical Education
Length: 2.5 - 3 Years + 1 Year
Qualified to teach: Technical Colleges in Brunei, such as MTSSR, Sekolah Perdagangan Brunei, Maktab Jefri etc
Notes: This is the academic route if you would prefer to teach in Technical Colleges rather than traditional schools.
How to apply once you obtained the academic qualification
To teach in primary, secondary and sixth form colleges in Brunei, you would need to call in to the Pengambilan Guru- Guru at Jalan Ong Sum Ping
Bandar Seri Begawan BA1311 bringing your academic certificates. There you will then fill in a form and then the officers will assign you to the appropriate (where there is need) subjects for you to teach at schools. Normally, assignment of schools would depend on your residence with the nearest school.
On the other hand, if you wish to teach in Technical Education, you will have to call into the Technical Education Department at Simpang 347, Jalan Pasar Baharu
Gadong BE1310 Bandar Seri Begawan, provided that you have taken the Certificate in Technical Education in UBD as well as your CV.
Unfortunately I do not have information on the salary of teachers as they follow a different scale than normal Government employees. Perhaps if anyone else would contribute this information for readers.
Lecturer at UBD?
Normally to become a lecturer in UBD, you will need a minimum of a Master's degree to qualify.
Academic Requirements
1. Lecturer
Minimum MA/M.Ed./M.Sc. with at least 3 years relevant teaching experience in tertiary teaching and research.
2. Senior Lecturer
Normally a Ph.D. [ or in certain cases MA/M.Ed./M.Sc] with at least 5 years relevant experience and a proven record in teaching, research and administration.
3. Associate Professor
Candidates should already be holding the post of Senior Lecturer with at least 5 years relevant experience and a proven record in teaching, research and administration.
4. Professor
Candidates should have extensive relevant teaching experience and outstanding academic record of research and publication and an established international reputation.
Hopefully I've covered at least one or two useful points. But I know every case is different, so if you want to ask anything, want advice on something, or just want a general chat about it... that's what this thread is for, so go ahead.
Written by Hasrul aka Billabong at (www.bruneistudent.com)
