The government will provide free technical training to about 250,000 young people under a new skills programme starting April 1, 2026. The training will target youths aged 18 to 45 who are outside education, training, and employment across Bangladesh.
The initiative is part of the Accelerating and Strengthening Skills for Economic Transformation (ASSET) project. Under this programme, Enterprise-Based Training (EBT) will provide practical skills directly linked to industry needs. The training will take place through cooperation between industries and training institutions.
Officials said the goal is to turn unemployed youths into skilled workers. The programme follows the slogan “Where there is training, there is employment.” It aims to help participants enter the workforce through practical technical education.
According to project information, about 222,500 people will receive training through nearly 700 industries and training centres. These activities involve 33 industry partners. Around 50,000 trainees have already completed training under earlier phases. About 90 per cent of them have reportedly found employment.
Industry Skills Councils, business associations, and chambers of commerce are supervising the training. Industries are also directly involved in managing the programmes.
Women and people from disadvantaged communities will receive priority during selection. All applicants must have a valid National Identity Card. Successful trainees will receive an official government certificate after completing the course.
The programme also includes financial support for participants. General trainees will receive a monthly allowance of 1,500 taka. Women, persons with disabilities, and members of small ethnic communities will receive 2,000 taka monthly.
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Trainees will also get travel support. The allowance is up to 100 taka per day. The monthly travel support will not exceed 2,500 taka.
The project will offer six types of training courses. These include short soft skills courses for business owners, chief executives, and managers. There are also technical skills courses ranging from 21 days to six months.
Some courses focus on workers already employed in industries. Others target NEET youths, meaning those not in education, employment, or training. In some programmes, trainees will split time between classrooms and factory apprenticeships.
Officials said the next batch of classes will begin on April 1. Interested applicants can find details and application information on the official ASSET project website.