Match curriculum with job demands

The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) on Saturday recommended the government to align curriculum with market demands, ensuring that students are more equipped for the job market.

The local think-tank also said the unemployment rate has been higher among educated youths, which suggests that their education had not empowered them with the right skills.

The suggestions came up with at a dialogue titled “Skills Gap and Youth Employment in Bangladesh,” organized by CPD in collaboration with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Bangladesh Office, in the capital on Saturday.

In the dialogue, speakers also suggested all educational institutions to have career counsellors to help students identify their strengths, prepare curriculum vitae and job applications, and engage in entrepreneurship from an early age.

CPD Executive Director Dr Fahmida Khatun moderated the session, while its Senior Research Associate Syed Yusuf Saadat presented the keynote paper there.

Yusuf Saadat recommended building a database of youth NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training), which would provide a comprehensive picture of the labour market.

“We should expand computer and internet connectivity, particularly in rural regions. We should integrate and encourage skills training to include soft, advanced ICT, service industry and 4IR skills to respond to rising employer demand,” he added.

Job fairs can be organized so that effective interaction between graduates and employers may inform future job seekers about the skills that are in demand in the upcoming labour market, he pointed out.

Saadat said teachers should acquire ICT skills in order to help their students to be more skilled in computer operation and technology because employers believe that digital skill development should be prioritized.

“Companies need to create a positive work environment for all, especially women, and encourage innovation among the employees. And, students should take personal initiatives to develop their communication and English language skills by reading fiction and non-fiction English books, outside of their formal education,” he recommended.

He further added that there is need for further research to identify the skills that are in high demand in the present labour market.

Such research can enlighten job-seekers to prepare accordingly and also encourage policy-makers to allocate resources towards the sharpening of market relevant skills.

Planning Minister MA Mannan, Member of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Primary and Mass Education Shirin Akhter, FES Bangladesh Office Programme Co-ordinator Shadhan Kumar Das, among others, also addressed the dialogue.