(Bandar Seri Begawan, 11th) Minister of Development Dato Juanda stated that as part one of Local Business Development (LBD), the Contractor Development Programme (CDP) has been implemented with the aim of supporting one of the three key elements for local businesses, namely increasing the participation rate of local business owners.
The minister made the above remarks in response to LegCo member Dato Setia's inquiry regarding the latest progress in the LBD policy for nurturing competitive entrepreneurs.
The CDP aims to enhance the capabilities of local contractors—particularly 100% local contractors—through training courses and briefings related to the construction industry. This initiative is part of the ministry’s efforts to strengthen the competitiveness of local entrepreneurs.
The minister said the program is carried out in two phases, with 30 trainees in each phase. Training is conducted by designated local training consultants, covering technical, management, and entrepreneurship modules, and delivered by two international project management experts.
The minister delved into some key content of the modules delivered by international experts, including mastery of blueprint interpretation and accurate, structured building cost estimation, basic entrepreneurship knowledge and systematic financial management practices, as well as project management skills such as understanding the terms and conditions of construction contracts.
The minister emphasized that performance evaluations before and after training showed an improvement in trainees’ abilities, highlighting the effectiveness of the program.
Significant progress includes blueprint interpretation and work estimation, with rates rising from 52% to 68%; entrepreneurship and financial management, from 40% to 84%; and project management and contract understanding, from 59% to 74%.
Meanwhile, 84% of participants provided positive feedback on the program, stating that it enhanced their technical understanding, boosted their confidence in project management, and improved their preparedness for sustainable competition in the national construction industry.
“The second phase of the CDP will continue in September this year, focusing on technical training such as the preparation of tender documents and fulfilling the duties of safety coordinators, to enhance compliance with workplace safety and health requirements.”
The minister stated that the ministry will continue to review and refine this initiative.
The minister made the above remarks in response to LegCo member Dato Setia's inquiry regarding the latest progress in the LBD policy for nurturing competitive entrepreneurs.
The CDP aims to enhance the capabilities of local contractors—particularly 100% local contractors—through training courses and briefings related to the construction industry. This initiative is part of the ministry’s efforts to strengthen the competitiveness of local entrepreneurs.
The minister said the program is carried out in two phases, with 30 trainees in each phase. Training is conducted by designated local training consultants, covering technical, management, and entrepreneurship modules, and delivered by two international project management experts.
The minister delved into some key content of the modules delivered by international experts, including mastery of blueprint interpretation and accurate, structured building cost estimation, basic entrepreneurship knowledge and systematic financial management practices, as well as project management skills such as understanding the terms and conditions of construction contracts.
The minister emphasized that performance evaluations before and after training showed an improvement in trainees’ abilities, highlighting the effectiveness of the program.
Significant progress includes blueprint interpretation and work estimation, with rates rising from 52% to 68%; entrepreneurship and financial management, from 40% to 84%; and project management and contract understanding, from 59% to 74%.
Meanwhile, 84% of participants provided positive feedback on the program, stating that it enhanced their technical understanding, boosted their confidence in project management, and improved their preparedness for sustainable competition in the national construction industry.
“The second phase of the CDP will continue in September this year, focusing on technical training such as the preparation of tender documents and fulfilling the duties of safety coordinators, to enhance compliance with workplace safety and health requirements.”
The minister stated that the ministry will continue to review and refine this initiative.