Youth skills must match industry needs

Bangladesh’s biggest challenge right now is providing jobs for young people. Around 86 lakh young people are neither in employment, training, nor education, according to the 2024 Labour Force Survey. This means the country’s demographic dividend is slipping away.

A mismatch in skills and employment is a major factor. Employers have repeatedly pointed out that among the deluge of applications, there is a severe dearth of candidates who have the right skills required. These include critical thinking, problem-solving and digital skills.

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It is quite worrying that we have thousands of degree holders in the market who cannot find employment, not because there aren’t enough jobs, but because they lack the necessary skills for existing occupations. The number of universities and training centres has increased, but the curriculum remains outdated and disconnected from rapidly changing industry needs. Industries demand AI and advanced digital skills, but around 42 percent of vocational training is still focused on basic computer skills. However, the skills gap starts at the primary and secondary education level. The education system still emphasises rote learning instead of critical thinking or problem solving. Only 49 percent of children between seven and 14 years have basic reading and numeracy skills, while many HSC graduates have skills comparable to class 7 standards. This significantly lowers the chances of better-paid employment when they are adults.

Another disturbing trend is the increasing number of women who are dropping out of the labour force. Unpaid care work, lack of childcare, safe housing, and secure transport are some of the factors behind this trend. Add to that the increasing number of child marriages over the decades. A staggering 51 percent of women were married before turning 18 between 2006 and 2024, effectively leaving out many women from education, skills training and employment.

The government, therefore, has the daunting task of reversing decades of neglect and lack of innovation in education and skills training. The crisis will not be solved merely with investments in training centres and digital infrastructure. It needs qualified teachers, updated curricula, career counselling and continuous retraining of the workforce. Training must be aligned with the changing needs of the industry. Policymakers must evaluate skills training programmes according to whether they helped to get decently paid jobs. Employers should be consulted when designing curricula, training programmes and assessment of competencies. Training must also include high-demand soft skills, such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork, digital literacy, and adaptability.

Besides, women’s participation in the workforce must be increased by making training, workplaces and employment accessible to them. Child marriage must be prevented so that girls get a chance to continue their education, acquire skills and be gainfully employed. Along with matching skills with industry demands, thousands more jobs need to be created, jobs that will help build the nation and create a future for our young people.