Educo, ESDO sign deals with seven firms to boost jobs for TVET graduates

Education and Development Foundation (Educo), in partnership with the Eco Social Development Organization (ESDO), on Sunday signed memorandums of understanding with seven private sector employers to expand employment opportunities for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates under the Leveraging Youth Employment in Bangladesh through Improving their Employability and Competitiveness to Fit with the 21st Century Job Market (LIFT) project.

The signing ceremony was held at the Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Centre in Agargaon in the capital, bringing together representatives from government agencies, industries, employers, TVET institutions, development partners and project graduates.

The agreements were signed with Aziz Air Services Ltd, Dream Power Bangladesh, PRAN Group, METAL FAIRS, Navana CNG, Hotel Sarina Dhaka and Amari Dhaka.

The partnerships are expected to create pathways for internships, industrial attachments, workplace exposure, on the job learning and direct recruitment, while strengthening collaboration between skills development providers and employers to ensure TVET training remains aligned with labour market demands.

The LIFT project is funded by ChorogUsan for Children, receives technical support from Educo and is implemented by ESDO. It aims to improve the employability of disadvantaged young people through market driven technical and vocational training, life skills development, career guidance and stronger links with employers.

Speaking at the event, Afzal Kabir Khan, Manager for Child Labour Elimination at Educo, outlined the project’s objectives and achievements, saying the initiative seeks to equip disadvantaged youth with market relevant technical skills to help them secure decent employment and sustainable livelihoods.

Tanvir Anwar Pony, Training and Development Manager at Xinxian Hospitality Training Institute, highlighted the importance of the project’s 720 hour industry oriented training model, saying it enables trainees to acquire the competencies needed to meet industry standards and perform effectively in the workplace.

Representing the participating employers, Sudipto Debnath Antu, Assistant Manager for Human Resources at PRAN RFL Group, said the company remained interested in recruiting graduates from the Electrical and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning trades. He praised the quality and job readiness of graduates produced under the LIFT project.

Shahriar Mahmud, Head of TVET at ESDO, said the training curriculum had been developed in close consultation with industry and is regularly updated based on employer feedback and emerging skills requirements to improve graduates’ employment prospects.

Organisers said the agreements mark another milestone in strengthening public private collaboration to bridge the gap between skills development and employment while contributing to a more inclusive and employment oriented TVET system in Bangladesh.