Bangladesh Extends ASSET Technical Training Project to June 2028

The Accelerating and Strengthening Skills for Economic Transformation (ASSET) project in Bangladesh has officially received approval for an extension, with its implementation period now prolonged until June 30, 2028. This major skills development initiative is being implemented by the Directorate of Technical Education under the Technical and Madrasah Education Division of the Ministry of Education, alongside the National Skills Development Authority (NSDA).

International backing for the continuation and restructuring of the initiative was secured when the World Bank provided its final consent for the extension on July 29. Building upon this foundational approval, the project aims to further expand its reach, particularly focusing on marginalized communities and women across the country, as training sessions run dynamically through different periods including February to August.

Recent statistical data highlights a notable surge in female participation under the ASSET framework. A total of 225,336 individuals have successfully completed their training programs, among whom 130,470 are female participants, accounting for 57.90 percent of the total. In contrast, male participants totaled 94,866, meaning the number of female trainees surpassed male counterparts by an impressive margin of 35,604 individuals.

The training scope has also extended inclusively to diverse demographic segments within Bangladesh. Specifically, 4,080 young men and women from small ethnic minority groups have completed the training courses, while 779 individuals with physical disabilities have also participated. Breaking down the educational delivery methods, 21,702 individuals completed their training through short courses, while 203,634 participants successfully underwent training under the EBT format.

Highlighting the strategic vision for the extended timeframe, Mir Zahid Hasan stated that initiatives will be taken during the extended period to further increase the participation of disadvantaged groups and women. He emphasized that digital data management will be strengthened further to guarantee one hundred percent transparency during the selection process of the trainees.

Furthermore, Mir Zahid Hasan noted that a rigorous monitoring system will be implemented to ensure the quality of training at the field level. He also expressed strong optimism that these structured skills development activities for women will directly translate into sustainable employment opportunities across the nation.