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The Building Youth Employability Through Skills (BYETS) project, in collaboration with The Daily Star, hosted its second of the series of three roundtable discussions on December 4, 2024, centred on “Equity in ICT: Inclusive Training Pathways for Persons with Disabilities.” The event brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the European Union, UN Women, Bdjobs.com, A2i, and the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP), other disability-focused organisations, advocacy groups, TVET educators, and policymakers. PwD trainees from CRP also actively participated, contributing valuable insights by sharing their experiences at the discussion. The roundtable aimed to address the challenges faced by PwDs in accessing skills training and employment opportunities. It also explored strategies to integrate inclusion into national competency standards and the broader TVET framework while building partnerships among stakeholders to promote long-term workforce inclusion.
Aziza Ahmed, Head of Operations at the Bangladesh Business & Disability Network, pointed out that there is a significant gap between the courses offered by disability-focused training centres and the demands of the job market. While mainstream ICT training centres provide market-driven, skills-focused courses, disability-focused centres often offer only basic training, which fails to meet current industry requirements.
Fahim Mashroor, CEO of Bdjobs.com, offered a key recommendation, suggesting that Bangladesh Bank introduce collateral-free loans for PwDs aspiring to become entrepreneurs.
In conclusion, while progress is being made, the development of a skilled workforce among PwDs remains below the desired level. However, initiatives like this roundtable signal a positive step towards greater inclusion and opportunity.