BRUNEI'S Authority and Info-Communications Technology Industry (AITI) is offering an ICT Competency training programme at minimum of 50 per cent subsidy to employees of non-government agencies and jobseekers.

In a press release, AITI stated that the subsidy is provided upon successful completion of the course. The programme is open to Bruneian citizens and permanent residents working in the private sector, as well as jobseekers above the age of 17.

Four local training companies; AT e-Knowledge Solution, infOmars Training and Technology Solutions Sdn Bhd, iLM Academy and HAD Technologies, have been appointed to conduct the 16 training courses, which can be taken as full-time or part-time courses.

AT e-Knowledge Solution will be conducting Visual Communication using Photoshop, Web Communication using Dreamweaver and Rich Communication using Flash. HAD Technologies will be facilitating ICDL Modules 4 and 7, while infOmars Training and Technology Solutions Sdn Bhd will be conducting two new courses, IC Citizen and Oracle Database 11g.

iLM Academy will be conducting 9 courses: Internet & Computing Core Certification (IC3); Microsoft.Net; Microsoft SQL; CompTIA certification courses A+, Network+, Security; Project Management Intermediate (PMI), Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and, Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2008.

The ICT Competency Programme is one of AITI's human capacity building initiatives to provide more professional ICT certifications in order to boost digital competency and qualifications of the Bruneian workforce in the private sector.

Meanwhile, AITI is also working with the Community Development Department (JAPEM) to select participants from the underprivileged group for a full subsidy of the IC3 certification.

According to the press release, the initiative will provide an opportunity for the group to increase their ICT literacy and professional development, while minimising the digital divide in the nation's pursuit to become a sophisticated society.The Brunei Times