Technical, vocational edn for national dev emphasised

RAJSHAHI, May 16 (BSS): More expansion of technical and vocational education and training among the unemployed youths, both male and female, has become an urgent need for substantial and sustainable growth of national economy.
The expanded technical education could be effective means of building competent and skilled human resources and its role is vital in taking forward the nation successfully.
Role of skilled people is also very important for earning more foreign remittance which is significant for country's development.
The observations came at a daylong regional seminar titled "Role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training towards Sustainable Economic Development: Bangladesh Perspective" held at Rajshahi Women Polytechnic Institute (RWPI) in the city yesterday RWPI organised the seminar in association with Skills and Training Enhancement Project (STEP).
The project is being implemented by the Technical Education Directorate with financial support from World Bank and Canada for substantial and sustainable expansion of technical and vocational education in the country.
Commissioner of Rajshahi Division Helaluddin Ahmed addressed the seminar as the chief guest while Director General of Directorate of Technical Education Shahjahan Mian, Chairman of Technical Education Board Mustafizur Rahman and Deputy Commissioner of Rajshahi Mejbah Uddin Chowdhury spoke as special guests with Md Emran, Director of STEP, in the chair.
During his keynote presentation, Md Emran said objective of the project is to strengthen selected public and private training institutions to improve training quality and employability of trainees, including those from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds.
The discussants mentioned that there is no way but to build skilled human resources to make the country self-reliant besides economic emancipation. The entrepreneurs should come forward towards establishing small and medium industries in the region to create employment opportunities for regional development, they added.
The chief guest said need-based vocational training for the youths coming from poor families is very important but their post-training employment has become an urgent need for eradicating unemployment problem. He viewed that the persons with technical education can contribute a lot to the country.