Uttoron - Skills for better life is a skill development project, funded by Chevron, implemented by Swisscontact, has launched its first android-based Bangla app to develop soft skills of unskilled and semi-skilled youth engaged in formal job market. Soft skill is an essential factor for higher productivity and prosperity in career. From an entry-level worker in a factory to a CEO of a multi-national firm, soft skill is required everywhere. Also read: Chevron concludes community-based Jibika project The Uttoron app covers fundamental factors like communication, teamwork, time management and problem-solving skills, said a Chevron press release. The launching event took place in Dhaka Westin Hotel recently. The app launching ceremony was attended by N M Zeaul Alam, Senior Secretary, ICT Division, Eric M. Walker, President, Chevron Bangladesh, Imrul Kabir, Director, Corporate Affairs, Chevron Bangladesh and Mujibul Hasan, Country Director, Swisscontact. Addressing the function N M Zeaul Alam said the government continues to place great importance on applying Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in all spheres of development. Proper skills will open new doors for our youth in the internal and international jobs market, where we face fierce competition, he added. Eric M. Walker said this app will focus on building soft skills for the graduating trainees to help them cope up in their professional life. Uttoron has taken a holistic approach by infusing digital access to resources along with technical training that will help the trainees to develop themselves entirely as we work towards increasing the human capital through technical and vocational training, he said. Imrul Kabir said the new app is a soft skill development tool which is a new addition under the Uttoron project, indulging digital resource to the trainees which can be downloaded in android-based smartphones. Mujibul Hasan said that Uttoron Soft Skills development app is purely driven by our learning from the field and industry. Also read: Chevron partners with Save the Children to launch integrated support for children with disabilities Uttoron Skills for better life is a three-year project that Swisscontact is currently implementing in Sylhet, Dhaka & Khulna division with funding from Chevron. The other three objectives of the project are to provide vocational training to 2000 youth, establish a permanent training facility in collaboration with Sylhet City Corporation that SCC will operate beyond the project period and to support upgrading a national level training institute to offer training in advanced welding skills. In addition, it has already introduced a new trade Packaging and Finishing Operation to meet the demand of the packaging industry first time in Bangladesh. The trade has already been validated by National Skills Development Authority (NSDA) and is under the process of approval from the PM office.

After a gap of over three years, Malaysia will reopen its job market for Bangladeshis by this year-end, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmed has said. “The Malaysian government has shown interest in signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with our government over the issue. The final date will be known in a day or two after we get the necessary documents,” he told reporters at Sylhet Circuit House on Friday night. READ: Govt plans big to equip youths for future job market According to the Minister, the job market will be reopened for Bangladeshi workers in several sectors -- tree plantation, gardening, agriculture, production, mining, construction and domestic service. Besides, another MoU will be signed for sending workers to Greece legally, said Imran, urging people to refrain from going abroad illegally. Malaysia is one of the most popular destinations for Bangladeshi workers. As many as 1,057,056 Bangladeshis have found work in Malaysia between 1976 and 2019, according to the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET). READ: Why the pandemic left long-term scars on global job market Manpower export to Malaysia has remained suspended since 2018.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday approved a Tk 4,300-crore project to equip over 1 million youths, women, workers and disadvantaged section of people with skills needed for the future job market. The approval came from an Ecnec meeting held with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair. She joined the meeting virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban. Ministers, State Ministers, Planning Commission Members and Secretaries concerned attended the meeting from Sher-e-Bangla Nagar NEC conference room. Also read: Govt to spend Tk 4,167cr on 10 projects, Ecnec gives nod

Esther Montanez’s housecleaning job at the Hilton Back Bay in Boston was a lifeline for her, a 31-year-old single mother with a 5-year-old son.