The country’s industrial units in the Economic Zones (EZs) will need around 270,000 employees in total within next five years.
A study conducted by the Access to Information (a2i) programme under the Prime Minister’s Office says the EZs will require 260,000 junior employees, 7,003 mid-level employees and 4,650 senior employees.
"Considering the fact, it is forecasted that the industries will face problems to recruit about 22.33 thousand junior, about 628 mid-level and 400 senior employees due to lack of training," says BSS quoting the study.
The study titled "A Journey Towards Development Country: Sustainable Employment Opportunities and Skills Demand in Economic Zones" observed that to overcome the challenges, about 24 training centres will be required for the employees of the industries.
"Among these training centres, 22 centres are needed for developing junior level of employees, one training centre for mid-level and senior level each. These training centres can develop around 24,000 skilled employees per year," the study said.
Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) and a2i unveiled the result of the study on Thursday at a function at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in the city.
The study also suggested BEZA to take initiatives to improve procuring, preparing, repairing, maintaining, marketing and exporting capabilities of the industries and said it is possible by developing skills on a regular basis.
Principal Coordinator for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Affairs in the Prime Minister's Office M Abul Kalam Azad attended the function as the chief guest while BEZA Executive Chairman Paban Chowdhury and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Kazi M Aminul Islam were present as special guests. A2i Project Director Kabir Bin Anwar, presided over the function.