OVERVIEW – Vocational Training Program for Urban slum dwellers
With 10 Million Bangladeshis working abroad as skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled workers, the Bangladeshi emigrant workforcesends backover USD 13 Billion annually as remittance that stands as the largest revenue source for the country.
Although Bangladeshi migrant workers are the backbone of infrastructure development projects in the Middle East and South East Asian countries like Malaysia and Singapore, most Bangladeshi workers are generally recruited for unskilled and semi-skilled jobs due to a lack of training and recognized trade certifications, thereby only securing the lowest-paying jobs in these countries, while nationals from India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand are recruited for skilled jobs with greater salary dueto their skills and recognized certificates.With the global economy recovering and the MiddleEast following suit, the demand for skilled workers in the Middle East, Malaysia and Singapore is rising once again.
The opportunity to leapfrog the economy of Bangladesh into a middle-income country thus lies almost single-handedly with the development of practical skills of citizens looking to work abroad as migrant workers. This training will also enable greater and more lucrative in-country employment opportunities.
ACTIVITY – Vocational Training Institute
Good HEAL Trust aims to break the cycle of poverty and unemployment faced by the Urban poor in Korail Slum, the largest slum of Bangladesh with an estimated population of around 300,000. The Vocational Training Institute established by Good HEAL Trust will provide hands-on training to the men and women of Korail slum in different high-demand skills and trades inlocal and foreign markets. Initially, the Institute will provide the following courses:
Computer Operation:Training provided on computer assembly/dismantling and troubleshooting, LAN and router setup for Internet access,software installation, and typing in Bangla, English, and Arabic.
Electrical Work: Training provided on safety,Ohm’s Law theoretical principles, installation of electrical wire, fuse, voltage and current meter, solar panel, IPS, bulb, fan, and air conditioner,and troubleshooting hardware and appliances such as air conditioners, microwave ovens, and refrigerators.
Plumbing: Training provided on installation or repair of a complete plumbing system consisting of pipes, drains fittings, valves, valve assemblies, and heating, washing, and drinking water distribution devices installed in buildings, and the removal of waterborne wastes. After completing the training they will be able to install or repair piping systems, plumbing fixtures and equipment such as water heaters and backflow preventers.
Laying Ceramic or Porcelain Tiles: Laying a ceramic or porcelain tile on a floor needs skill hands. Under this training scheme Trainees will learn the steps on how to plan and prepare a site and then professionally lay ceramic or porcelain Tiles on the floor.
Stitching and altering clothes: Training provided on basic skills as a tailor.