BMET driving project sees employment success

In terms of outputs, the manpower bureau's driving project shows promising results: engaging young people, boasting a low dropout rate, increasing female participation, and achieving nearly 100 per cent job placement success both domestically and internationally.
However, some logistical constraints continue to hamper the five-year project's implementation across 64 training centres nationwide. This leads officials to anticipate a potential extension to fulfil the ambitious target of training 100,000 individuals.
Launched in 2020 by the Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET), 'Providing Driving Training for Employment at Home and Abroad' has already trained 25,124 individuals, most of whom are now employed, officials said.
Of them, around 7,000 drivers secured employment with Dubai Taxi -- a Dubai-based company.
Others found jobs in Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, or became self-employed by ridesharing services, working for local organisations and public offices.
With a five-year period, the Tk 2.67 billion project aims to train over 100,000 drivers.
However, operational delays caused by staffing and logistics procurement meant it took 21 months to launch after the official 2020 start date.
Project Director Farid Ahmed said the project is scheduled to end by December 2024. He admitted that they would require an extension to fulfil the target.
"While the project is scheduled to end in December 2024, reaching the target number of trained drivers will require more time. We estimate needing another three years," he told The Financial Express.
The project director highlighted the promising outputs such as training quality and low dropout rate, resulting in successful job placements for graduates in both local and international organisations.
The training currently runs across 64 government technical training centres nationwide.
On connecting trainees with employers, he said, "We utilise various methods, including job fairs."
Besides, employers can directly access driver profiles on the BMET website for recruitment.
The project's key features include a free three-month training course and a daily Tk 100 allowance for participants. The project director also noted the focus on empowering women: "At least 10 per cent of our trainees are women and many are finding success abroad, particularly in European countries."

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