Bangladesh’s Private NGO Shiropa Development Society Is Building a Skilled Workforce in Four Districts Through the RAISE Project

By Mahbub Hasan Tutul, Dhaka Correspondent, Bangladesh

Shiropa Development Society, a private NGO in Bangladesh, has been working under the Recovery and Advancement of Informal Sector Employment (RAISE) Project to develop a skilled workforce in 4 districts Meherpur, Chuadanga, Kushtia, and Jhenaidah out of the country’s 64 districts.

Implemented with funding from the World Bank and the Government of Bangladesh and supported by the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), the RAISE project is helping underprivileged youth in Kushtia, Meherpur, Chuadanga, and Jhenaidah become self-reliant.
Through this project, 100 percent employment has been ensured, setting a unique example in reducing unemployment in the respective areas.

On Sunday at 10:00 a.m., a discussion meeting was held at the Mujibnagar Smriti Complex Tourist Motel in Meherpur district to mark the occasion.

The Executive Director of Shiropa Development Society, Mr. Shahidul Islam, attended the meeting as the chief guest.
In his speech, the Executive Director said that the main objective of the RAISE project is to create employment opportunities by enhancing the skills of underprivileged youth. Through this project, young people can become self-reliant and play a significant role in the development of society and the nation.

Mr. Rashed Hossain, Deputy Co-ordinator (AGROS) of Shiropa Development Society, spoke as a special guest. He said that the project emphasizes not only technical skills but also life skills and workplace readiness.

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Zillur Rahman Siddiqui, Co-ordinator of the RAISE project at Shiropa Development Society.

Also present was Master Crafts Person Utpal Halder. The event was moderated by Sabuj Hossain, Employment Support Officer of the RAISE project.

Stakeholders expressed hope that this initiative will help build a skilled workforce at the local level, which will play a vital role in the country’s long-term economic development.