Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has underscored the need for developing demand-driven skilled human resources to ensure employment opportunities for the country's youth, terming it as a key policy priority of his government.

“The government has adopted skills development as one of the foundations of its national development strategy to build a productive, self-reliant, equitable and technology-driven Bangladesh,” the premier said in a message issued on the eve of ‘World Youth Skills Day-2026’ being observed tomorrow.

The Head of the Government added: “Developing a skilled workforce in line with the demands of the evolving global economy and technology-based work environment is our commitment.” 

Tarique Rahman said the day has been observed worldwide since 2015 following a United Nations initiative, while the National Skills Development Authority (NSDA) has taken steps to celebrate the occasion in Bangladesh with due importance this year as well. 

He said the current government is strengthening and modernising the vision and programmes earlier initiated by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman to transform the country's youth into a productive workforce.

The government is implementing multidimensional programmes to expand skills development, technical and vocational education with training, create employment opportunities and enhance the international competitiveness of human resources here in line with domestic and global labour market demands, the Prime Minister pointed out.

Noting that the country’s youth generation is the greatest asset, he said the development of their skills, innovation capacity and professional competence would further accelerate industrialisation, productivity and economic growth, simultaneously strengthening Bangladesh's position in the global labour market 

Referring to the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), automation and emerging technologies, the premier said these developments are creating both challenges and new opportunities as well in the workplace.

Keeping this reality in mind, he said, the government is working to make the skills development system more modern, industry-oriented and associated with international standards.

Tarique Rahman said the NSDA is implementing various initiatives, including improving skill standards, introducing a unified certification system, expanding collaboration with local and foreign universities and training institutions, securing international recognition, organising national skills competitions and ensuring Bangladesh's participation in World Skills competitions.

These efforts would help accelerate sustainable economic growth, expand employment and advance the national journey towards building a developed Bangladesh, said the Prime Minister.