Rajshahi Job Fair: Employers struggle to find skilled candidates

Despite offering over 15,000 jobs at "Smart Employment Fair" in Rajshahi, employers were unable to find enough qualified candidates.

The event, jointly organised by Rajshahi City Corporation and ICT Division, was held at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Hi-Tech Park on Thursday.

Nine institutions participated at the fair, including National Intelligence for Skills, Education, Employment and Entrepreneurship which alone offered around 13,820 jobs through online application.

Additionally, 24 business organisations offered 900 on-spot jobs. However, only three of those companies were able to make recruitments for one position each.

Rajshahi City Corporation Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton handed over appointment letters to the recruited individuals.

Most job-seekers do not want to go outside Rajshahi while some lack necessary skills like computer literacy and communication proficiency, said Mehedi Hasan, human resources manager at Pran RFL Group.

Also, the employers were primarily offering marketing and sales jobs with low salaries and benefits.

"I am not interested in such jobs as they are labourious but offer lower rewards," said Omor Faruk, a job seeker from Shaheb Bazar area.

The country has around 47-66 percent of literate but unemployed people who need to develop essential skills to secure jobs, said Habibur Rahman, a policy associate of a2i.

"The participating companies have taken applications from job seekers, and 900 people will be provided with jobs within a month," he added.