The 7th batch of a three-month freelancing training programme was launched on Wednesday as part of a nationwide initiative taimed at equipping educated unemployed youth with marketable digital skills and expanding employment opportunities in the country's growing digital economy.
The training programme is being implemented under the Department of Youth Development's project titled "Creating Employment through Freelancing Training for Educated Job-Seeking Youth in All 64 Districts of Bangladesh."
State Minister for Youth and Sports Mohammad Aminul Haque formally launched the programme simultaneously in all 64 districts at the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The event was chaired by Md. Mahbub-ul-Alam, Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, while Dr. Gazi Md. Saifuzzaman, Director General of the Department of Youth Development, moderated the programme.
District-level officials, representatives of E-Learning and Earning Ltd., and nearly 5,000 trainees participated in the event both physically and virtually.
Speaking as the chief guest, State Minister for Youth and Sports Mohammad Aminul Haque said developing a skilled workforce capable of meeting the evolving demands of the digital economy is one of the government's key priorities.
"Under the seventh batch of this project, 4,800 young men and women are receiving training in high-demand fields such as computer applications, digital marketing and graphic design. This initiative will enable them to pursue self-employment while contributing to the national economy through foreign currency earnings from freelancing. I believe this government-led training programme will play an effective role in reducing unemployment and strengthening the economic self-reliance of families across the country," he said.
Managing Director of E-Learning and Earning Ltd. Masud Alam noted that thousands of Bangladeshi freelancers are already earning substantial foreign currency from international clients every year. "Many successful freelancers rarely share their stories. I encourage all trainees to share their achievements and experiences, as their success will inspire more young people to pursue freelancing as a profession," he said.
According to project officials, the Tk 3.7377 billion project will run from January 2024 to December 2027, with a target of training 36,000 educated young men and women across the country. Training activities officially began on January 1, 2025, and are currently being conducted by E-Learning and Earning Ltd. in all 64 districts under the country's eight administrative divisions.
The seventh batch, running from July 1 to September 30, 2026, includes 4,800 trainees, with 75 participants selected from each district. Eligible applicants are aged between 18 and 35 years and possess at least a Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) qualification.
Under the project, 19,200 participants have already completed training in the previous six batches. Of them, nearly 60 per cent, or 11,353 freelancers, are currently working on local and international freelancing marketplaces.
Project data show that graduates have collectively earned approximately US$1.999 million, along with Tk 99.04 million in domestic earnings, bringing their total income to Tk 344.97 million.