'Equipping youths with right skills a must to reap benefits of demographic dividend'

Equipping youths with the right skills is essential to reap benefits of demographic dividend, thus ensuring the country's economic prosperity.

This was observed at a symposium on 'Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Bangladesh', organised by the National Skills Development Authority (NSDA) at its office recently with the support of Australia's Queensland University of Technology (QUT).

The symposium was organised to facilitate interactions among stakeholders, including professionals who gathered knowledge from Australia, a statement said on Thursday.

The event highlighted skills based training, quality assurance, marketing and promotion, industry linkage, and workforce development plan.

NSDA Executive Chairman Nasreen Afroz inaugurated the programme as the chief guest.

Former additional secretary Mohammad Rezaul Karim and QUT top officials Nelson Salangsang and Wendy Perry, among others, were present at the event.

Nearly 70 stakeholders, including representatives from different ministries, departments and agencies, joined the programme.

NSDA chairman said her office has been implementing the National Action Plan 2022-2027 for skill development in the country.

The main objective of the NSDA is to create skilled manpower in the country, she said. "We need to reap the benefits of our demographic dividend through equipping youths with the right skills."

The NSDA acknowledged the role of Australia for its support to Bangladesh in strengthening skill development programmes.

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