Four organisations join hands to prepare Bangladeshi youth for Japan jobs

Four organisations from Japan and Bangladesh have joined hands to set up a Japanese Language and Skill Development Centre in Bangladesh to prepare young people, particularly those from poor families, for employment opportunities in Japan and at home.

Japan's ONODERA User Run Co. Ltd. will work with the Centre for Zakat Management (CZM), the Institute of Islamic Social Finance (IISF) and Rahimafrooz to provide Japanese language training, job-related skills and knowledge of Japanese workplace culture.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in Dhaka on Thursday to formalise the partnership.

The initiative aims to help young Bangladeshis overcome barriers to employment by providing skills and training that can improve their chances of finding decent jobs and earning a stable income.

The centre will combine Japanese expertise in employment and human resource development with local organisations' experience in social development, training and private-sector support.

Jun Kato, president and chief executive officer of ONODERA User Run Co. Ltd., said young people in Bangladesh had the ability and commitment needed to succeed in the workplace.

Through the initiative, the company aims to help them develop Japanese language skills, practical professional abilities and an understanding of Japanese workplace culture, he said.

Niaz Rahim, group managing director of Rahimafrooz, said Bangladesh's young people had enormous potential, but they needed relevant skills and access to international employment opportunities.

By bringing together the strengths of the four organisations, the initiative seeks to connect young people's talent with decent jobs through language training, professional skills and responsible employment practices, he said.

Dr Mohammad Ayub Miah, chief executive officer of CZM, said access to quality training and reliable employment opportunities could improve the lives of young people and their families.

CZM will help identify eligible candidates from underprivileged communities, support access to training and scholarships where appropriate, and connect the initiative with its poverty reduction and social empowerment programmes.

The Institute of Islamic Social Finance will provide institutional facilities and a learning environment for the proposed training programmes, while Rahimafrooz will offer strategic support to help the initiative achieve its wider goals of youth development and dignified employment.

Aya Yoshida, minister of the Embassy of Japan in Dhaka, attended the signing ceremony.

She said Japan looked forward to welcoming skilled workers from international labour markets, including Bangladesh. Japanese language proficiency, professional skills and knowledge of Japanese culture and workplace practices would help aspiring workers prepare for employment in Japan, she added.

The MoU was signed by Jun Kato, Dr Mohammad Ayub Miah, Arastoo Khan, vice chairman of IISF, and Niaz Rahim.

The initiative comes as skills development and access to overseas jobs remain important for young Bangladeshis seeking better livelihoods. 

However, successful employment will depend not only on language training but also on the quality of professional skills, the credibility of job opportunities and proper preparation for working in a different culture.

For young people from low-income families, access to such training could be particularly important if it helps them secure jobs without facing heavy financial barriers.