Standard Chartered and UCEP Bangladesh on Sunday launched a re-skilling and employment reintegration programme for economically vulnerable individuals who lost their livelihoods due to Covid-19.
As part of the initiative, UCEP Bangladesh will conduct a rapid needs assessment study to identify the skills gaps in both formal and informal sectors, as well as the opportunities opening up amid the pandemic, said a press release.
Based on the findings of this study, demand-driven training programmes will be developed that prepare participants with the skills to best meet current and future demands of the job market.
The graduates will then go through a job placement programme to complete their reintegration within the economy.
Naser Ezaz Bijoy, CEO of Standard Chartered Bangladesh, said that their partnership with UCEP aims to help the pandemic-impacted workforce to become future fit and get reintegrated as gainfully employed workforce.
UCEP Bangladesh will reintegrate the youth and adults who have lost their jobs due to Covid-19 with wage and self-employment through Recognition of Prior Learning assessment, up-skilling and entrepreneurship development training, said Tahsinah Ahmed, its executive director.
Standard Chartered has been focusing its community support measures in various areas, including life-sustaining aid and hygiene supplies to 120,000 individuals and 3,600,000 meals through Bidyanondo Foundation, Brac and Kumudini Welfare Trust.
The bank had also announced a broad range of support measures for its retail customers and businesses, including loan repayment holidays, fee waivers or cancellations and loan extension facilities, in addition to the government-led support measures.