The sixth batch of a three-month freelancing training programme was launched on Wednesday as part of a nationwide initiative to create employment opportunities for educated, job-seeking youth across all 64 districts of Bangladesh.
State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque inaugurated the programme, which will simultaneously run across the country, at an event at the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The inauguration session was chaired by Youth and Sports Secretary Md Mahbub-ul-Alam.
The sixth batch will run from 1 April to 30 June 2026 with 4,800 participants – 75 from each district. Applicants aged between 18 and 35 with a minimum higher secondary qualification are eligible to take part in training.
Speaking on the occasion, Aminul said freelancing training had been prioritised in the electoral manifest of the ruling party – BNP – to create new employment opportunities for young people.
He said the training programme reflects the implementation of commitments made by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
In his speech, the secretary said employment remains a priority, with initiatives focused on developing modern skills, including freelancing, to create income opportunities for young people.
Masud Alam, Managing Director of E-learning and Earning Ltd, said a central database of freelancers have been developed. Profiles are created for participants at the start of training to track income and professional progress. He also shared his experience of becoming a freelancer and entrepreneur.
According to project data, the programme aims to train 36,000 individuals between January 2024 and December 2027 while activities began on 1 January 2025. Training is being conducted in all 64 districts.
A committee comprising representatives of the district administration, the Department of Youth Development, and training providers selected participants through written and oral assessments.
So far, 14,400 individuals have completed training across five phases. Of them, 60% or 8,640 individuals are working in local and international marketplaces. Total reported earnings stand at $1,845,645, equivalent to around Tk 227,014,416. Mentoring sessions have been arranged in each district to support income generation.
A total of 97,229 individuals applied for the current batch. Of them, 61,581 were selected for examinations, and 4,800 were chosen for training following written and viva assessments. Participants will receive 600 hours of training over three months, with eight hours of instruction per day.
The training includes computer office applications, freelancing, basic English, digital marketing, soft skills, mobile-based freelancing, graphic design and video editing.
The participants are being provided with travel allowances, meals and training materials. Certificates will be issued upon completion of training.