Govt to train up 70,000 people over next 5 years

The government has decided to train up 70,000 people over the next five years to work in the power sector, as part of marking “Mujib Year”.

The Power Division under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources will provide the training to barely-educated or semi- educated unemployed people, said a Power Division press release.

The primary target of the training is to provide skilled manpower to the country’s power sector, as well as to export manpower to international labour markets.

Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, power and energy advisor to the prime minister, on Thursday inaugurated the first phase of the countrywide training programme through videoconferencing from the Secretariat.

The power and energy advisor said that the authorities concerned should keep counselling trainees so that they can apply their knowledge properly in the power sector.

In the two-month-long first phase, 2,875 people will receive training.

Speaking as the chief guest, Dr Tawfiq upheld the successes of the present government in the power sector.

Nasrul Hamid, state minister for power, energy and mineral resources, was present at the event as a special guest.

He lauded the training programme, saying “there is no alternative to get training in earning skills.”

“We are not getting the expected success in the global labour market because of a lack of skilled manpower,” said Nasrul. He also stressed the need to enhance skills in the English language in order to be successful in the labour market.

Dr Ahmad Kaikaus, senior secretary of the Power Division, and Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem, secretary of the energy and mineral division, among others, were also the present at the programme.