Every year, thousands of students graduate from technical institutes across Bangladesh. But many still can’t find jobs—not because jobs aren’t available, but because what they’ve learned doesn’t match what employers need.
At a press briefing on Tuesday, the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) said the problem is serious and avoidable. Graduates are being trained on outdated machines, learning old skills, and preparing for jobs that don’t exist anymore. “What they’re being taught no longer sells,” said CPD.
Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya, CPD fellow and convener of the Citizens’ Platform for SDGs, said the issue is not with students but with the system itself. “The market knows what it wants. Our institutions do not,” he said.
He also criticized Bangladesh’s education commission for failing to lead. Countries like South Korea, Japan, and India have improved their economies through strong technical education. Bangladesh, he warned, is falling behind.
Without skills in science, math, and automation, Dr. Bhattacharya said, “We are preparing to be left behind.” He called for clear, targeted investments in vocational education—new equipment, teacher training, and specific budget plans.
He also addressed the social stigma around technical education. “A skilled electrician is more valuable than an unemployed business graduate,” he said.
In the end, CPD warned, Bangladesh won’t solve its job crisis with traditional degrees alone. Real change means valuing technical training—and acting fast.
