- With a well-trained workforce key to Bangladesh’s aspiration of transitioning to a developed country, ADB is supporting the government to train nearly 800,000 youngsters for better employment through the Skills for Employment Investment Program (SEIP).
- The ADB-supported SEIP program has trained about 400,000 young people in Bangladesh with new skills in 9 high priority areas, including the booming garments industry.
- Every year, nearly 2 million youths enter the job market in Bangladesh – the program will train over 800,000 people by 2024 with the skills needed to succeed in the workplace.
A well-trained workforce is key to Bangladesh’s aspiration of becoming a developed country by 2041. Through the government’s flagship Skills for Employment Investment Program, ADB has already trained nearly 400,000 young people with new skills in 9 high priority areas, including the booming garments industry, by partnering with its many factories.
Transcript
With its fast growing economy, Bangladesh aspires to become a developed nation by 2041.
Key to that aspiration is a well-trained labor force.
ADB has already supported the government through concessional loans to train about 400,000 people with new skills in 9 high priority areas through the Skills for Employment Investment Program (SEIP).
More than 70% trained under the ADB-supported SEIP have been placed in jobs.
And 33% of these are women, working in sectors such as the booming garments industry.
Priyanka Biswas, Trainer
Square Knit Composite
“In this training school, we teach 30 women in a single batch. We teach them how to do the job properly, including the production process and how to deliver a quality product – both in theory and practice.”
Supported by ADB, Square Knit trains 300 people per month to keep up with demand.
Each employee takes about 2 months to train.
Ruma Akter, Trainee
“I used to work as a tailor at home. After having the training from this training center, I can earn more money and become more financially independent. Now I can help my family as well. After the training, I will get a job and with a good salary. I can help my family and increase our standard of living.”
Meanwhile at Knit Concern Group, there is an emphasis on work-life balance.
Nasim Ahmed, Director
Knit Concern Group
“We can teach 120 people to be skilled workers in one batch. They come here without any working knowledge of the garments industry. All of them come here from remote areas.
They get training over two months to become fully skilled. Then we merge them with our current production team.”
Md. Ashraful Alam, Trainer
Knit Concern Group
“We try to provide a better work environment with a good salary so that they can support their families and have an economically independent life.”
Ahmed
“We do a lot of CSR activities like old age compensation, child care and family planning. We have a good medical center.
“Apart from these, we also send 9 of our workers to Chittagong Asian University for Women for higher education. We will fund their postgraduate education for free.”
Every year, some 2 million youths enter the job market in Bangladesh.
The Program will help train over 800,000 people for a brighter future when it closes in 2024.
