P133 The MIB Framework as a Catalyst for Youth Empowerment: Mediating the Gap Between Skill Training and Sustainable Employment

Abstract

Despite tremendous amount of investment towards Training, Vocational and Educational Training (TVET) and skills acquisition programmed aimed at fulfilling the Wawasan Brunei 2035, unemployment among youth remains a persistent challenge that has been evolving in Brunei Darussalam. While technical skills mismatches are frequently cited as the main and primary driver of labor market friction, less attention has been paid to socio-cultural and psychology dimensions of youth readiness and transition to sustainable employment. This paper explores and identifies the role of Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB or Malay Islamic Monarchy) framework as a strategic catalyst for youth empowerment and act as a mediating bridge between skill training and sustainable employment outcome. As this paper grounded in Human Capital Theory (HCT) and Psychological Empowerment Theory (PET), this conceptual study examines how internalizing MIB values, specifically Islamic work ethics; Ihsan, Ikhtiar and Tawakkal, Malay cultural adaptability and responsibility under Negara Zikir, enhances behavioral readiness, entrepreneurial initiative as well as psychological resilience among youth that is actively seeking for job opportunities. By synthesizing existing national policy documents, TVET framework and Brunei’s labor dynamic literature, this study presents a policy-aligned conceptual model demonstrating that technical training alone is insufficient without cultural and spiritual alignment. The findings offer actionable insights for policy-makers, TVET administrators and institutional stakeholders to better integrate MIB-driven soft skills and empowerment metrics into national employment strategies, ultimately accelerating progress toward a resilient, high-income economy.