The UNICEF has presented a research video and announced the successful completion of the first-phase pilot programme of its transformation initiative to build a skilled workforce.
The humanitarian aid organisation launched the pilot programme and research video of the Skill-Focused Literacy for Out-of-School Adolescents Project (SkilFo) at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka on Saturday.
The UNICEF launched two pilot programmes in Cox’s Bazar in 2023 with an eye to transforming school dropouts into socially and economically empowered individuals and skilled manpower.
The programmes provided marginalised adolescents with practical, hands-on training in mobile servicing, plumbing, construction work, automobile parts installation, and other technical skills to help them secure employment.
In addition to practical training, financial assistance was also provided to encourage them to become entrepreneurs.
At the event, UNICEF Bangladesh’s Country Representative Ms. Rana Flowers highlighted that a large number of students drop out of schools after completing primary education in Bangladesh, with an even higher dropout rate after secondary education.
She stated, “Although around two million people leave Bangladesh each year for overseas employment, it is unfortunate that only about two percent of them are technically skilled. As a result, their earnings remain low. Enhancing technical skills can significantly increase their income.”
She thanked the relevant ministries of the Bangladesh government for their overall cooperation in this pilot project and requested continued support for UNICEF’s future initiatives.
Bidhan Ranjan Roy, adviser to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, praised the UNICEF efforts and the SkilFo project.
He said, “I fully agree with Rana Flowers that our students are lagging behind in technical education. Alongside the government, parents also need to take responsibility.”
He also noted that although hundreds of thousands of students graduate every year, they lack adequate skills. He assured continued support for the future plans of UNICEF and the project.
The event was also attended by Dr KM Kabirul Islam, secretary of the Technical and Madrasah Education Division, Md Sakhawat Hossain and other UNICEF Bangladesh officials.