Published: 11:21 AM, 02 April 2026
ASSET Project expands horizon as World Bank calls for scaling up training
Jean Pesme, Divisional Director of the World Bank, visited the PRAN-RFL Factory and Training Center in Gazipur on Wednesday to observe the Enterprise-Based Training activities implemented with the support of the ASSET Project under the Directorate of Technical Education. He highly appreciated the efforts of the PRAN-RFL Training Institute, conducted through the Bangladesh Agro-Processors Association, for providing hands-on training to youth in a real factory environment and ensuring employment opportunities within their own factories upon completion of the training.
On this occasion, Engr. Mir Zahid Hasan, Project Director (Additional Secretary) of the Accelerating and Strengthening Skills for Economic Transformation (ASSET) Project implemented by the Directorate of Technical Education under the Technical and Madrasah Education Division of the Ministry of Education; Fatema Jahan, Joint Secretary of the same Division; Md. Hasan Mahmud, Director (Joint Secretary), Directorate of Technical Education; and Rabindranath Mahat, Deputy Project Director of the ASSET Project, were present, according to a press release.
Accompanying Jean Pesme from the World Bank team were Tashmina Rahman, Senior Education Specialist and Task Team Leader of the ASSET Project, and Education Specialists Ms. Farzana Shams and Zulfikar Rahman.
Representatives from the BAPA, including KMA Salam; PRAN-RFL officials including Saiful Islam, Executive Director (PRAN-RFL Group); Zakirul Islam, Factory Head; and Imam Hossain, Training Coordinator, were also present. During the visit, Jean Pesme interacted with current trainees under the ASSET Project as well as former trainees currently employed at the factory. He inquired about the quality of training, the impact of stipends, and employment outcomes, and expressed his satisfaction. Highlighting Enterprise-Based Training as an effective approach for rapid employment generation and entrepreneurship development.
Engr. Mir Zahid Hasan, Project Director of the ASSET Project, stated that in this period of demographic dividend, expanding such training initiatives would be highly beneficial for the country. At the same time, Fatema Jahan, Joint Secretary, drew the attention of the World Bank Divisional Director to the importance of increasing both the number and duration of Enterprise-Based Training programs.
It may be noted that under the ASSET Project, implemented by the Directorate of Technical Education under the Technical and Madrasah Education Division of the Ministry of Education, various initiatives have been undertaken to improve and expand technical education in the country. Around one million youth are being provided training in different occupations and durations at full government cost, along with support for their entry into the workforce. Among these, 2,23,500 trainees are receiving Enterprise-Based Training through 33 industry partners, including the BAPA, and nearly 1,000 industry-based training centers such as PRAN-RFL.
