‘Empowering Youth for Employment’ Seminar for the Bidayuh Youth
On 12th September 2015 (Saturday), a one-day career guidance seminar, was organized by the DBNA-BGA Human Resource (HR) subcommittee for the Bidayuh youths at the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) headquarters at Jalan Kompang. The event was officiated by YB Tuan Anthony Nogeh Gumbek, a member of the parliament for P.192 Mas Gading and a Federal Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industries. It was witnessed by Boniface Anat Litis, the Deputy President of DBNA, Dr. Clarence Jerry – the DBNA Assistant Treasurer-General, the Chairman of the DBNA-BGA Education Subcommittee and advisor for the seminar, Rayan Narong, the Organizing Chairman and the Chairman of the DBNA-BGA HR subcommittee, and Associate Professor Dr. Ahi Sarok, the President of Bidayuh Graduate Association and Co-Chairman of the DBNA-BGA Education subcommittee. Also present at the opening ceremony were Joseph Jindy, the Vice-President of DBNA, Datuk Peter Nyombek, a member of the Public Service Commission (PSC), and John Riba, the Deputy CEO of SOCSO Malaysia.
There were about 300 participants from the Bidayuh areas of Serian, Padawan and Bau. The target group is not only youths who are currently waiting to be employed or fresh graduates (certificate, diploma and degree holders) but also those are still under training and undergoing the tertiary education. The main facilitators for the program were Ms. Maureen Labarge, the Human Resource Director for X-Fab Sarawak and Mr.Bruno Jong, the Senior Assistant Director of the Sarawak Labour Department.
The purpose of the event is to empower Bidayuh youth in their quest to get into their dream job and to enhance their marketability in the job market. The youths were also given awareness of the employment opportunities for job seekers with Technical and Vocational Education.
In the opening speech, Dr. Clarence stressed that the theme for this program – “Empowering the Bidayuh for Employment” is definitely the way forward for the Bidayuh to be on par with the rest of the ethnic group. The factors that contribute to the youths’ success of getting employed and having a good career are multifaceted to include the necessary soft skills, hard skills, awareness of employers’ expectations, preparedness and confidence for job interviews, and awareness of the job opportunities.
“Employment among the Bidayuh is still a big issue. The Bidayuh Community, with a total population of less than two hundred thousand is left behind in term of employment. There are still many Bidayuh youths who are still unemployed after they completed their tertiary education. Some are employed, but with very low salary”, added Dr. Clarence.
Commenting on the team spirit of the organizing committee, Dr. Clarence said that all the HR subcommittee members headed by Rayan Narong, with Juki Endok as the secretary, are successful professionals and experts in the field who come forward voluntarily to render their time and effort to make the event a reality.
“I am really touched for their selfless effort to give back to the community. I know that in their hearts, they want to inspire and motivate the youths with the hope that they too one day will take over their places in this very hall to inspire and motivate other youths. I sincerely hope that the HR sub-committee will continue to support the youths even after they are being employed so that they continue to achieve success in their future career endeavors.”