International Labour Organization (ILO) Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Chihoko Asada-Miyakawa has said Bangladesh needs skills development for its huge young workforce. “This required a creative approach where the ILO could also help,” she said during a meeting with the leaders of Bangladesh Employers’ Federation (BEF). This was her first visit to Bangladesh in the capacity of the Regional Director, BEF said on Tuesday.The Regional Director (RD) was accompanied by the ILO Country Director Tuomo Poutiainen and other senior officials from ILO Dhaka office. BEF members, former Presidents, and other sectoral representatives were also present.The RD identified inequality to be one of the biggest developmental challenges for Asia and the Pacific. She believed the region needed to prioritize social protection, social dialogue, employment generation, decent work, and the basic protection of workers.Led by BEF President Ardashir Kabir, the committee members received and welcomed the RD and her colleagues. The BEF President highlighted how BEF and the ILO had been working together in Bangladesh on skills development, occupational safety and health, social dialogue, industrial relations, decent work, and other various areas. He pointed out Bangladesh’s need to prepare its workforce for the disruptions arising out of the gradual embracing of 4IR. The President hoped that the ILO would remain by Bangladesh’s side as the country pursued its goals while going through the different stages of development. He believed the new RD’s guidance could take the region as well as Bangladesh’s partnership with the ILO to the next level. The BEF Committee members presented a bouquet, crest, and gift to the RD. The Bangladesh government has been actively pursuing workers’ safety, social protection, and decent work conditions during the last few decades. The country has also updated its rules and laws to make those sustainable and practical.The parties exchanged views on ILO’s support for Bangladesh’s development and the need for future cooperation under the changing global scenario.

“I would always wonder if leadership can be taught or if it is an inherent trait,” says Almeer Ahsan Asif. “My perception on leadership and values changed completely after I enrolled in the first cohort of BYLC’s Art and Practice of Leadership workshop.” Through APL, Almeer learnt that practicing leadership is far more important than being a leader. Anyone can practice leadership, regardless of their age, gender, or socio-economic status. Formal authority is not required to practice leadership. So, what exactly is this Art and Practice of Leadership that has completely upturned perceptions of thousands of youth like Almeer, who previously were more inclined to give more importance to the role a person held as opposed to the work itself? Read: BYLC launches development sector-focused career expo in Dhaka Conceptualized at Harvard University, the Art and Practice of Leadership or APL is a 3-day-long workshop that allows participants to embark on a stimulating introspective journey that develops their leadership potential while acquiring new skills to keep up with a rapidly changing world. Apart from leadership, participants are trained on communication through public speaking, emotional intelligence, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. Work, as per this workshop, is always at the center. “The work is more important than the person. It’s not about who is getting the work done but about getting it done. Throughout my career, I’ve given more importance to my work than my position,” says Almeer. While still a student of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at AIUB, Almeer came to know about the first APL workshop of BYLC. As he was already engaged in various social activities and was involved in work that required leadership, he thought to give the workshop a try. At the very least, he would get a certificate. He didn’t anticipate the program to change the way he thought or the way he addressed problems.  Read: BYLC Ventures hosts Cohort 5 selection bootcamp He decided to shift to the teaching route; he joined the Teach for Bangladesh fellowship after graduating from AIUB. He taught at Amtoli Staff Welfare School in Mohakhali for two years as a fellow in the inaugural cohort. Later, he joined the curriculum development team of BYLC as an Assistant Manager. In 2017, he received an Executive Education on the Art and Practice of Leadership Development from Harvard University. Almeer currently acts as the Senior Manager of the Skills Development and Training wing, leading a five-year long project and five departments of BYLC. His students have gone on to make major impacts on their fields, be it the public, private, or civil sectors. Almeer believes that APL has an unique role in training the millions of graduating students of Bangladesh who, despite their grades, may not have the skills or confidence to demonstrate their employability in the job market. Explaining the importance of learning leadership in career development, Almeer said, “From my days in Harvard, I recall what a CEO of an organization told me. He said, ‘Look, I’ve been in the top position in an organization for 15 years, but I never managed to lead. I only performed the duties attached to the position.’ We want to imbibe our graduates with the passion to learn, grow, and lead.”  Read BYLC Ventures opens applications for 5th cohort He goes on to add, “Through BYLC’s APL course, the scope of skills development truly expands. In addition to learning about several technical aspects, it becomes easier to find solutions to various problems. There’s so much more to think about beyond your own boundaries.” So if you think this is right for you, join BYLC's 29th cohort of Art and Practice of Leadership workshop. Please visit bylc.org for more information.

Awami League has come up with an idea to help youths address their career related challenges recognising that youths lack knowledge of career trends and scopes for skills development.

Speakers at a webinar here on Saturday emphasised post-Covid industry readiness and skills development to prevent job loss in the industrial sector of the country.