A new post-secondary institution, IBTE will replace the existing system of training under the Department of Technical Education (DTE). It will assume the functions previously fulfilled by DTE. Unlike DTE, IBTE will be constituted as a statutory board under the purview of Ministry of Education. It will be the principal provider of technical and vocational education, including full-time, apprenticeships and part-time Continuing Education and Training (CET) in Brunei Darussalam. IBTE is also the national agency for the development of occupational skills standards. Under the new constitution, a Board of Governors (BOG) will be appointed by government to oversee its strategic mission, direction and goals. The BOG will be empowered with the autonomy and flexibility to establish its standing and special committees as may be required to regulate and better discharge its primary functions and duties
Unlike school education, vocational training especially under IBTE will be practice-based, hands-on and experiential. The teachers who can best meet the needs of students in this learning environment are those who not only have the appropriate professional qualifications but most importantly the relevant industrial experience with pedagogic training. As such, the years and value of the experience they bring with them in the context of practical skills training must be recognised. The ability to attract professionally trained and well-qualified teaching staff is key to upgrading the quality of training and standards.