SCB and UCEP initiates youth empowerment programme

Standard Chartered Bank recently launched the latest phase of the 'Giving Wings to Dreams for Youth Empowerment' programme in collaboration with UCEP Bangladesh in the Gazipur industrial zone. 

Over the next two years, the programme will serve 3,000 beneficiaries, prioritising those recently unemployed. Participants will receive classroom and workplace-based training in electrical installation and maintenance, welding, sewing machine operation, motorcycle service maintenance, refrigeration and air conditioning, apparel screen printing, tailoring and dressmaking, beauty care, and other employable skills.

After completing trade-specific training, high-potential trainees will receive Entrepreneurship Development Training. All graduates will receive employment placement support. The project prioritises inclusivity with a target of 50% female representation, 2-5% returnee migrants and 2% representation of persons with disabilities among the beneficiaries. The initiative also offers a Workplace Wellbeing Management course to sensitise participants on physical and mental health wellbeing ideas and topics, along with sexual and reproductive health and rights. 

Bitopi Das Chowdhury, Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand & Marketing, Standard Chartered Bangladesh, said, "As the oldest and largest foreign financial institution in Bangladesh, Standard Chartered has always prioritised investing in education and helping develop the youth of this nation. Through initiatives such as this, we support them with contemporary knowledge, certified skills, and opportunities to find gainful employment or become entrepreneurs. We thank our partner UCEP Bangladesh for their continued efforts to further our mission to upskill the youth for a sustainable economic impact."

The programme was launched in 2019 with a cohort of 300 trainees. Following its success, more initiatives were launched in 2020, 2021, and 2022. The programme has supported more than 6,000 participants with skills training along with mid-level management and entrepreneurship development opportunities. More than 70% of the graduates have secured employment through job placement support, which is also a part of this programme.  
The project has been launched under Futuremakers by Standard Chartered, the Bank's flagship global community initiative. Future makers aim to tackle inequality and empower disadvantaged young people, helping them learn, earn, and grow. Since launching in 2019, Futuremakers has enabled and supported more than 88,900 jobs worldwide.