Govt rolls out landmark IT training programme

The government yesterday rolled out a major programme to train 30,000 students in information technology and IT-enabled services over the next three years to further its Digital Bangladesh vision.

“It is part of a plan to transform the labour-based economy into a digital one,” Zunaid Ahmed Palak, state minister for ICT, said at the programme's launch ceremony at the capital's Sonargoan Hotel.

The programme is supported by the 'Leveraging ICT for Growth, Employment and Governance project' (LICT) initiative of Bangladesh Computer Council launched in 2013. The World Bank is providing $70 million as loans for the LICT project, which is the largest of its kind in the world.

The training will be conducted by Ernst & Young, a UK-based global professional services company. Of the 30,000, 10,000 will be given specialised training and 20,000 foundation training.

The IT and engineering graduates can apply for specialised training, which would last for 300 hours spread across three to four months. Topics include social media, mobile technologies, cloud computing, big data, java, application development, information security, networking, database management, programming and software development.

Other science graduates can apply for a 160-hour course on graphic design, analytical research and technical IT support.

Non-IT graduates and HSC students can apply for the foundation course, which would cover areas such as online marketing, tech support, business process outsourcing, outbound sales and customer service. Ernst & Young would ensure job opportunity for at least 60 percent of the participants, Palak said, adding that the programme will open up national and international career opportunities for all trainees.

“If the participants work hard, their future is very bright,” said Gaurav Taneja, national director for government advisory services of Ernst & Young India.

It will take three to six months to start the programme as Ernst & Young will have to identify the need of the country's IT and ITES sectors and develop content accordingly, he said.

Kamlesh Vyas, project director of the LICT project, said the programme would provide international standard training and create a pool of IT professionals. “For the graduates, it will be a career-shaping and life-transforming opportunity.”

Not only will they get to learn from qualified trainers and interact with industry leaders, they will achieve proper recognised accreditation if they qualify the certification examinations and meet the strict attendance requirements, he said.

“These students will get jobs at home as well as abroad,” Vyas said, adding the curriculum will be prepared in association with universities from the US and Europe.  

AK Azad Chowdhury, chairman of the University Grants Commission, said the training would directly benefit the youth as they will receive internationally recognised certification and employment placement.

The educationist urged universities to encourage their students to participate in the training programme.

The programme will also create indirect jobs for 120,000 youth. Each successful graduate will earn at least $3,000 annually, according to conservative estimates by the government.

Under a separate programme, the government is also providing IT training to thousands of youths across the country to help them become IT professionals.  Since 2013, about 26,000 individuals have received trained in information technology, of which 12,000 are female.