Experts at a webinar on Thursday underscored the need for building a business environment conducive to decent jobs for the youths in the country.
They also recommended that business leaders and development partners need to respond to national needs and make themselves more available for socio-economic efforts aimed at youth development.
Private and public investments in new and existing sectors have to be regulated by the government so that labour-intensive jobs demanding hard skills ensure decent wages for the youth, the speakers also added, “therefore necessary for the government to take measures so that the business environment can grow to produce decent jobs for the youths.
The recommendations came up with the virtual programme jointly organised by the South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM) and ActionAid Bangladesh titled, “Sectoral Action Plan for Youth Sensitive Budgeting.”
Presenting key-note papers, SANEM Senior Research Associate Eshrat Sharmin recommended adoption of a youth-focused, comprehensive and long-term action plan for education and health; enabling institutions for effective implementation and monitoring; investment in research; and skills development programs under formal education.
Investment in research and development across public and private sectors can provide the youth with opportunities essential for their growth. Greater investment in research can have twofold use: production of knowledge beneficial for the progress of national economy and scope of youth involvement in knowledge production,” Sharmin said.
She also recommended that skills development programs should be included in formal education. This will help to reduce the skill gap in the labour market. For instance, incorporating soft skill development courses in the tertiary education system can enable the youth to meet industry demands.
Planning Minister MA Mannan; Professor of Economics Department at Dhaka University and Executive Director of SANEM Dr Selim Raihan; Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh Farah Kabir and SANEM Research Director Professor Dr Sayema Haque Bidisha; Joint Secretary of Technical and Madrasah Education Division Md Borhanul Haque; Deputy Secretary of Ministry of Social Welfare Yeasmin Akther also present there.
