Technical skills open pathways to jobs and business

Strengthening technical and vocational education is crucial for creating employment opportunities and promoting self-reliance, Chairman of the Bangladesh Technical Education Board (BTEB) Engineer Md Ruhul Amin said on Friday.

Speaking at a seminar aimed at raising awareness of the benefits of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and encouraging admissions, Ruhul Amin said technical skills enable individuals not only to secure jobs but also to establish businesses with limited capital.

The seminar was held this morning at the seminar hall of Khulna Women College, where he presided over the programme.

“Demand for skilled manpower is increasing in all sectors, from government jobs to entrepreneurship.

Acquiring technical skills enables individuals to secure employment opportunities and establish their own businesses even with limited capital,” he said.

Ruhul Amin observed that while technical education has expanded significantly in Bangladesh, it still falls short of meeting the growing demand for skilled human resources.

He said the government has taken initiatives to expand technical and polytechnic institutions at district and upazila levels and plans to establish additional institutions as well as new engineering colleges across the country.

Emphasising the practical value of technical education, he noted that it equips students with job-oriented skills that create opportunities in government, private and individual enterprises while also helping them become small-scale entrepreneurs.

Referring to various trades and professions, he said mobile phone servicing, computer-based online services, electrical work, welding, construction and woodworking offer income-generating opportunities that require comparatively low investment.

He added that technology-driven services and online-based employment opportunities are also expanding rapidly.

The BTEB chairman said technical education supports both employability and academic advancement, noting that opportunities for higher studies and overseas employment are increasing for graduates of technical education programmes.

He also stressed the need to improve the quality of technical education through infrastructure development, establishment of modern laboratories and workshops, provision of advanced equipment and enhanced teacher training.

To support these objectives, he said an initiative has been taken to launch a project titled “Vocational Education Development” within the next two years.

The project will create training opportunities, particularly for teachers working in private technical and vocational institutions.

In addition, another project under the Directorate of Technical Education is being planned to strengthen the professional capabilities of teachers and trainers, he said.

Director of Secondary and Higher Education, Khulna Region, Professor Dr Md Anis Ar Reza attended the seminar as the guest of honour.

Principal of Khulna Polytechnic Institute Engineer Animesh Pal, Principal of Khulna Government Women’s Polytechnic Institute Kazi Neyamul Shahin, and Acting Regional Director of the Directorate of Technical Education in Khulna Sushanta Kumar Saha addressed the programme as special guests.

Around 400 principals of colleges and imams from different districts of Khulna division participated in the seminar.