With the vision to create a skilled workforce and provide easy access to vocational training for the youths of Sylhet City Corporation (SCC), Swisscontact Bangladesh’s Uttoron project, funded by Chevron’s Bangladesh Partnership Initiative, recently signed an agreement to establish a training institute in Sylhet, states a press release.
This Public-Private Partnership (PPP) offers an impetus to achieve the Bangladesh government’s Sustainable Development Goals per the Skills Development Policy 2011. The Uttoron project will be working with SCC to convert existing infrastructure into a training facility. The training facility will have an initial capacity to provide training to 1,200 youths annually on four industry-demanded trades (electrical installation & maintenance, welding, plumbing pipe fitting, and housekeeping).
The event took place at the Dhaka Westin. The agreement ceremony was graced by the presence of Ariful Haque, Mayor of Sylhet City Corporation; Eric M. Walker, President of Chevron Bangladesh; Muhammad Imrul Kabir, Corporate Affairs Director of Chevron Bangladesh; and Mujibul Hasan, Country Director of Swisscontact.
Sylhet City Corporation Mayor Ariful Haque said, “Lack of skilled workers is one of the biggest challenges our country is facing right now. Unfortunately, as a result of this, we are losing business to our competitors. The only way to encounter this is by creating a more skilled workforce, providing appropriate training, and equipping them for the market’s ever-changing demands. I believe that by working through this partnership, we will be able to set a new benchmark for successful Public-Private Partnership and be a role model for others”. He expressed his gratitude to Chevron and Swisscontact for making possible such an important initiative.
Chevron Bangladesh’s President, Eric M. Walker said, “The training facility will provide an excellent platform to kick-start the technical and vocational careers of thousands of aspirational youths, bringing about long-term, sustainable improvements for them, and the families that depend on them. Education and job training are of critical importance to help people and communities thrive. The key here is to ensure that Uttoron is sustainable, i.e., by leaving a lasting positive imprint on our communities far beyond the lifespan of the project.”
