Job and Business Services

Bangladesh is now regarded as one of the world's fastest growing economies, with notable GDP growth that remark-ably continued even during the pandemic. Yet, youth unemployment remains to be one of the major hurdles to the sustainability of its economic growth. Additionally, COVID-19 has had its effect on the global economy and job markets around the world and we have seen its impact in Bangladesh as well. Thus, it is going to be a daunting challenge to provide employment opportunities for those who have lost their livelihoods during the pandemic, as well as for the 2.26 million fresh entrants into the job market every year. The reason for high rates of youth unemployment in Bangladesh is two-fold. On one hand, the education system is failing to create a competent and skilled workforce. Rather than focusing on career-oriented skill development, the only emphasis is on good grades. A recent World Bank report identified the skill gap between the supply and demand of industries as the main reason for high youth unemployment rate in Bangladesh. In addition, the drought of new job creation continues to perpetuate the high youth unemployment rate in this country. The growth of the job market is inadequate compared to the supply of fresh graduates every year.

Job and Business Services (JBS) is another addition to the CSS education sector which functions well with Hope Technical Institute (HTI). It works as a passageway for HTI and LTP students to go one-step further and be available in the job market. JBS plays the role of a mediator between job seekers and job providers. In this regard, the activities of JBS include job identification, preparation for interviews, on the job training, job placement, career counseling etc. Through maintaining linkage with the employers, JBS is able to update to the changing needs and demands of industries. Another approach of JBS to address the unemployment problem is to support entrepreneurship development. JBS provides coaching to its clients who want to setup business ventures, and helps them to access and manage finance through local Micro Finance Institutes (MFIs).