Youth Unemployment Alleviation via Social Entrepreneurial Ventures in Creative Fashion Industry: A Conceptual Paper

Abstract

Poverty issues may not be the major agenda to tackle in Brunei Darussalam however, the unemployment rate among youths in the sultanate has been on the rise particularly, in comparison to the other ASEAN regions. Literature agrees that one of the causes of poverty is due to the people being unemployed in the labour market. As a result, venturing into the entrepreneurial activities rather than over relying on the government jobs has become the most highlighted recommendation to alleviate unemployment and thus, poverty. Amidst the decline in oil prices, the sector which has fuelled the country`s economy for the past 85 years, Brunei has therefore been forced to put diversification into strategies. The creative fashion industry is said to bring a bright prospect thus, the purpose of this study is to conceptualise on the youth unemployment alleviation via the social entrepreneurial ventures in the creative fashion industry. This effort will initially require the participation of the unemployed living in Brunei Muara and if necessary, the research will also need the other stakeholders to be involved especially, the government agencies, to ensure in the gaining of a broader perspective.