Brunei’s Youth Face Job Market Reality: Unfulfilled Promises and Rising Frustrations

Brunei's youth, equipped with degrees and ambition, face a stark reality: unemployment, underemployment, and systemic hurdles in a labour market that often falls short of its promises. With allegations of exploited job schemes and deceptive hiring practices, is the system designed to empower or entrap them? This report uncovers the truth behind the struggles and calls for urgent reform.

Behind the Frustration of Brunei's Young Job Seekers

By Malai Hassan Othman 

 

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, NOVEMBER 2024: In Brunei, the aspirations of young job seekers often collide with a harsh reality: high unemployment and underemployment persist despite numerous government-led initiatives intended to transform the labour market. For many graduates, securing stable, meaningful employment feels like a distant dream, leading to a growing sense of disillusionment. 

The Manpower Blueprint: A Double-Edged Sword? 

Launched in 2023, the Manpower Blueprint was touted as a transformative framework aimed at aligning Brunei’s workforce with the goals of *Wawasan Brunei 2035*. 

Its vision was to create a resilient, future-ready, and innovative labour force capable of adapting to global changes. 

While this ambition offered a glimmer of hope, it also underscored an uncomfortable truth: youth unemployment remains stubbornly high, with rates peaking at 16.8% among those aged 18-24 in recent years. 

Many young people find themselves in a frustrating cycle, unable to secure employment that matches their skills and education. 

A 32-year-old University of Brunei Darussalam (UBD) graduate summed up this sentiment: “I have tried everything. I-ready job opportunities came and went without permanence; every SPA exam felt like a mountain to climb, yet still, no permanent job—whether in the government or private sector.” 

This sense of being trapped resonates widely, as many perceive their educational qualifications as undervalued compared to experience or foreign degrees. 

Employment by Sector: Limited Opportunities for Diversification 

Brunei’s employment landscape is dominated by the services sector, which encompasses public administration, education, and other service-oriented roles. 

While this sector remains the largest employer, it offers limited pathways for economic diversification and skill development. 

Meanwhile, the industry sector, including manufacturing, construction, and energy, struggles with skill alignment and a shortage of specialised workers. 

This imbalance exacerbates job scarcity for fresh graduates, deepening the challenge of integrating young talent into the workforce. 

Job Fairs: Hope or Hollow Promises? 

Efforts like the *Jelajah Kerjaya 2024 Recruitment Drive* held in Belait represent commendable attempts by JobCentre Brunei to connect job seekers with potential employers. 

The event featured nineteen companies and multiple government agencies, symbolising a commitment to reducing unemployment. 

However, many young people remain sceptical of these efforts. “Job fairs feel like a revolving door,” a participant remarked. 

“I’ve attended many, but few lead to meaningful job offers.” While such events demonstrate goodwill, their effectiveness depends on broader structural reforms to ensure tangible outcomes. 

I-Ready and Internship Programs: Pathways or Pitfalls? 

The I-Ready program, intended to bridge the gap between education and employment, has faced criticism for being exploited by government agencies and private firms. 

 

Participants often recount experiences of being utilised as cheap labour, with minimal to no prospects for transitioning into permanent positions. 

 

Many express frustration at being stuck in temporary roles that do not offer job security or opportunities for professional growth. 

 

Numerous allegations have been made that certain agencies have exploited the I-Ready program to address staffing shortages caused by factors such as extended maternity leave or employees on in-service study abroad programs. 

 

As a result, instead of serving as a pathway to gainful, stable employment, these placements often become stop-gap solutions for organisational needs, leaving participants feeling undervalued and trapped in precarious positions.

 

“It’s supposed to be a stepping stone, but for many, it’s just a dead end,” said one former participant. 

 

This pattern of exploitation highlights the need for greater oversight and a renewed focus on genuine skill development. 

 

Similarly, other internship programs have been criticised for providing limited professional growth, often leaving participants unprepared for permanent employment. 

 

Without substantial improvements, these initiatives risk becoming hollow gestures that exacerbate rather than alleviate the challenges faced by Brunei’s youth.

Job Centre Manipulations: Phantom Openings for Compliance 

Allegations have surfaced that some employers misuse JobCentre Brunei’s job postings by placing mock advertisements for local positions merely to fulfil legal requirements before hiring foreign workers. 

“It’s an open secret,” a job seeker disclosed. 

“Many job ads are just for show—they were never meant for us.” 

Such practices deepen distrust in the job market and fuel the perception that local talent is undervalued or systematically sidelined by policies favouring external hires. 

 

MEMI: The Rise and Dissolution 

In 2018, Brunei established the Ministry of Energy, Manpower, and Industry (MEMI) to diversify the economy, reduce unemployment, and foster industrial growth. 

MEMI’s initiatives focused on workforce alignment, economic diversification, and promoting local employment through Bruneianisation. 

However, its abrupt dissolution in 2022—when it was absorbed into the Prime Minister’s Office as the Department of Energy—raised questions about the government’s strategic priorities. 

With no public explanation offered, this reorganisation left many speculating about the challenges and efficacy of MEMI’s mission. 

The Path Forward: Urgent Need for Structural Reforms 

The plight of Brunei’s youth underscores the need for systemic reforms that go beyond temporary solutions. 

Addressing skill mismatches, promoting economic diversification, and ensuring genuine, merit-based opportunities in the job market are essential. 

Experts emphasise that collaboration among government agencies, educational institutions, and the private sector is key. 

Programs like *I-Ready* must be reformed to prevent exploitation and provide clear pathways to meaningful, permanent roles. 

Moreover, ensuring transparency and fairness in job market practices—including addressing alleged manipulations within JobCentre Brunei—remains critical to restoring trust among job seekers. 

A more inclusive and diversified economy that values local talent will not only benefit Brunei’s youth but also contribute to the nation’s broader goals under *Wawasan 2035*. 

As Brunei works to create a labour market that is resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking, the story of MEMI serves as both a beacon of potential and a reminder of the challenges ahead. 

Without genuine commitment and bold systemic changes, the aspirations of Brunei’s young workforce may remain just that—aspirations. (MHO/11/2024)