Three hundred BYLC graduates and 26 leading private and nonprofit sector employers, looking to recruit talented young people for entry-level jobs, took part in the day-long event at Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre in the city.
It was organised by BYLC’s Office of Professional Development (OPD), supported by the Aga Khan Foundation (Bangladesh) and the Rizwan Adatia Foundation. The United News of Bangladesh (UNB) was the media partner of the event.
Nasrul Hamid, the state minister for power and energy, inaugurated the fair. He emphasised youth participation in the country's development and wished to see the government sector's inclusion in such fairs in the future.
“The BYLC is not only doing a remarkable job in instilling critical thinking and leadership skills in youth, but also creating economic opportunities by facilitating important connections between employers and job-seekers,” he said.
The fair gave the graduates a chance to meet the representatives of various reputed companies. It was a great opportunity for those looking for internships and full-time jobs.
HR representatives from partaking organisations and brands connected with BYLC graduates throughout the day, assessing resumes, and taking spot interviews.
BYLC President Ejaj Ahmad said, “The OPD contributes to improving the livelihood of youths who have already received leadership education at BYLC by using a three-pronged approach — professional skill development training, placement opportunities, and online professional matchmaking and learning services.”
The fair also featured two panels on tackling youth unemployment and bridging gaps between the supply and demand of skills.
Farzana Chowdhury, Managing Director and CEO, Green Delta Insurance Company Ltd; Asif Saleh, Senior Director, Strategy, Communication and Empowerment, BRAC and BRAC International; Pial Islam, Managing Partner, pi STRATEGY; Afreen Huda, Cluster HR Head, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, Reckitt Benckiser; Nisbat Anwar, Head of HR, Renata Ltd; Monzula Morshed, Chief of HR and Administration, Banglalink; and Ayeleen A Saleh, Founder, Acumen Academy Bangladesh shared their insights on career startup, entrepreneurship and developing corporate skills.
The participating organisations are Cosmos Group, UNB, Banglalink, Grameenphone, Renata Limited, Shohoz, PRAN-RFL Group, JAAGO Foundation, Mutual Trust Bank Limited, Dhaka Bank Limited, aamra technologies limited, Green Delta Insurance, BRAC, KAZI IT, ActionAid Bangladesh, Sajida Foundation, Amann Bangladesh, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mohammadi Group, LankaBangla Finance, mPower Social Enterprises Limited, and Reckitt Benckiser Bangladesh Limited.
Over the last 10 year, more than 3,500 youths have received leadership training from BYLC. The OPD started its journey in 2016 to provide career guidance to university students and train BYLC graduates to face the workplace challenges of the new century.