Uttoron – Skills for better life

Bangladesh is aspiring to become an upper-middle-income country by 2031, and this aspiration originates from its robust economic growth over the last decade and the demographic dividend that the country is currently experiencing. However, this stable micro-economic growth can only be sustained if the overall productivity of the workforce can be ensured. Currently, Bangladesh has 63.4 million economically active individuals, and an additional 1.3 million workers join the labour force annually. Hence the government is putting a lot of emphasis on increasing the human capital through technical and vocational training. Understanding the importance of the issue, Uttoron has taken a holistic approach by ensuring technical training for the disadvantaged youth and creating sustainable access to training through Public-Private-Partnerships (PPP). In addition, the project also addressed the demand of the private sector and the market by introducing new trainings like Packaging and Finishing Operation (PFO) and Advanced Welding. 

Expected Results

• 2 000 youth (23% women) will be finishing a three-month vocational training by April 2022.
• One vocational training centre will be operational by the end of the project period which will be operated by the city corporation.
• An advanced welding lab at a government training centre will be operational by the end of the project which will create access for Bangladeshi workers to the international job market. The training will be imparted by a premier government training institute.
• A female friendly training entitled Packaging and Finishing Operation (PFO) to meet the demand of the growing packaging industry will be introduced by the end of the project.
• The project contributes to the achievement of SDGs 4 (quality education), 5 (gender equality), 8 (decent work and employment) and 10 (reduce inequality).