SCB, Ucep begin 2nd re-skilling program for jobless workers

Standard Chartered has announced the launch of the second phase of re-skilling and employment reintegration program for economically vulnerable individuals who lost their livelihoods due to Covid-19, in partnership with Ucep Bangladesh.

This second phase will build on the success of the first, through which around 300 trainees from Rajshahi and Rangpur have found meaningful employment after re-skilling training, said a press release.

The current phase will work with 500 beneficiaries from Rajshahi and Khulna.

Through this program, beneficiaries will improve their competencies through apprenticeship training, on technical and vocational areas that have been identified as skills gaps in both formal and informal sectors.

The demand-drive training will ensure that participants are able to meet the current and future demands of the job market.

Beneficiaries will also have the opportunity to appear for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Assessment through Bangladesh Technical Education Board (BTEB) on National Technical & Vocational Qualification Framework (NTVQF) level, further enhancing their employability.

The graduates will then go through a job placement program to complete their reintegration within the economy.

"After the resounding success of the first phase, we are delighted to offer the second edition of re-skilling and re-integration program for a larger cohort. This is in addition to the recently launched similar initiative that supports returnee migrant workers," said Naser Ezaz Bijoy, CEO of SCB.

Md Abdul Karim, executive director of Ucep Bangladesh, emphasized the value of the expanded partnership with Standard Chartered Bank which will help job-lost young people and their families through re-skilling and reintegration in the skill sector.