PKSF to provide skill training to 12,000 marginal youths

FE REPORT

The Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) is going to provide skill training to 12,000 marginal youths, aiming to ensure their sustainable employment through modern industrial demand-based technical training and meet the need for experienced workers.

The training will be provided in key trades such as electrical installation, mobile phone servicing, IT support, tailoring, welding, plumbing, solar technology, and care giving.

Of the beneficiaries, 30 per cent will be women, while the remaining 70 per cent will comprise of youths from low-income families and marginalised areas on priority basis.

To this effect, an initiative called SICIP-PKSF project was officially launched on Monday with the support of 'Skills for Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Program (SICIP)' at the PKSF headquarters in the city's Agargaon area.

PKSF also signed agreements with the partner training institutions for the project supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Secretary of the Finance Division and the National Program Director of SICIP Dr Khairuzzaman Mozumder attended the event as the chief guest.

Additional Secretary and Executive Program Director (EPD) Mohammed Walid Hossain was present as a special guest at the function chaired by PKSF Chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan.

Speaking on the occasion, Khairuzzaman Mozumder said after the successful completion of the training of 12,000 youths under the PKSF-SICIP project, the government would provide additional support to PKSF.

There is a demand for skilled workers abroad, in light of which PKSF and its partner organisations can make an effective contribution to the state's efforts to develop skilled manpower, he added.

Mohammed Walid Hossain said several skills including care giving are becoming of great need across the world, for which Bangladesh should get prepared.

Thailand and Philippines have already made good progress in the field, he said, adding that Bangladeshi workers can make significant contribution in this trade.

PKSF Chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan said that the existing demographic advantage of Bangladesh will not last long. To utilise this dividend, there is no alternative to creating skilled manpower.

PKSF Managing Director Md Fazlul Kader delivered welcome speech. He said more than two million young people are entering the labour market every year, which is a big challenge and opportunity for the country at the same time.

In such a reality, the Bangladesh government is emphasising skill development, he said, adding that in line with this, PKSF has identified human capacity development through skill development as one of the main strategies in its 'Strategic Plan 2025-2030'.

PKSF Additional Managing Director Mohammad Jashim Uddin and Senior General Manager Md Ziauddin Iqbal also spoke on the occasion, among others.

Under the SICIP-PKSF project, Tk627.8 million will be mobilised to provide the trainees with accommodation and food expenses free of cost.

After successful completion of the training, necessary support will be provided for their employment.

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