Industries Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir Monday said the government will prioritise industrial sectors that can generate large-scale employment with low capital investment, stressing that labour-intensive manufacturing is one of the most effective paths to economic progress given Bangladesh's large population and limited land.
Speaking as chief guest at a certificate distribution and appointment letter handover ceremony for trainees at the Bangladesh Institute of Management (BIM) auditorium, the minister said leather, footwear and non-leather or synthetic leather-based industries can create jobs on a large scale.
"This sector will be among those the government prioritises in the coming days," he said.
The event was organised by the Bangladesh Industrial Technical Assistance Centre (BITAC) under the project titled "Self-Employment Generation and Poverty Alleviation through Technical Training (Phase-2)".
The minister said demand for skilled and trained manpower will rise as the manufacturing sector expands. BITAC, he noted, is playing an important role by providing training fully funded by the government.
He said a major success of BITAC's training programme is that trainees get employment opportunities after completing the courses.
"The biggest achievement of such a programme is that trainees acquire skills and get jobs directly in industrial establishments," he added.
The minister said the project will be expanded in the coming days and BITAC will be made more modern and capable. Considering the future needs of industry, modern technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, will be incorporated into BITAC's training curriculum.
He also said that to keep pace with the global industrial system, skilled manpower in modern technology must be created at every level and in every profession. "The government is working to develop training curricula in line with leading training institutions at home and abroad and to create new opportunities for trainees."
Addressing the trainees, the minister said, "The three-month training is only an important beginning of your career. You have received an orientation to a disciplined life through the training, but the responsibility for learning from now on lies with you. It is also your responsibility to put the knowledge and skills you have acquired to use in professional life."
"Each of you has risen from challenging circumstances. You have completed three months of training, earned certificates and secured employment. Now it is up to you to build the path forward," he added.
Wishing the trainees success and prosperity, the minister said the government is implementing a broader action plan to develop skilled human resources, not only through BITAC but also under various initiatives, including national skills development.
Industries Secretary Abdun Naser Khan, special guest at the event, said receiving a single training course does not end one's responsibility. "Training must be accompanied by continuous learning and a mindset of constantly updating oneself."
"Technology and industry demands are changing constantly, and new skills must be acquired to keep pace with these changes," the secretary said.
He said technical skills are in no way less dignified than higher education, and skilled technical workers make a vital contribution to the growth of modern industries and economies. "So, you must be confident about your skills and knowledge."
The minister later distributed certificates and appointment letters among the trainees.
Under the project, 642 of 722 trainees across various categories received appointment letters from reputed industrial establishments across the country.