Brunei faces broadcast staff shortage

With up to 20 per cent of its staff expected to retire by 2015, Brunei national broadcaster, RTB, has announced that it is seeking replacement personnel. ‘We are working to make sure that we focus on bringing in people over the next couple of years to fill these positions,’ said Acting Director, Hj Idris Hj Md Ali.

The announcement was made in the annual report on Brunei made by the Oxford Business Group.

Currently operating with a staff of approximately 1,000, it is expected that between 150 and 200 will have retired by 2015, leaving the state broadcaster – and the country – facing what it has described as its greatest challenge.

‘We want to attract talented and skilled people, said the Acting Director, pointing out that both technical staff and presenters are being sought. ‘We need to target specific skill sets in order to improve quality. Newscasters, DJs and other personalities are mostly temporary, as their popularity is likely to fluctuate,’ he added.

RTB has already made employee exchange and training agreements with Thailand, Singapore and Korea to address its needs.