State Minister Launches Nationwide Freelancing Training Program
The government on Wednesday (1 July) officially launched the seventh batch of a three-month nationwide freelancing training programme aimed at equipping educated unemployed youth with marketable digital skills and expanding employment opportunities in the country's growing digital economy.
The training programme is being implemented under the Department of Youth Development's project titled "Creating Employment through Freelancing Training for Educated Job-Seeking Youth in All 64 Districts of Bangladesh."
The inauguration ceremony was held at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, where State Minister for Youth and Sports Mohammad Aminul Haque formally launched the programme simultaneously across all 64 districts.
The event was chaired by Md. Mahbub-ul-Alam, Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, while Dr. Gazi Md. Saifuzzaman, Director General of the Department of Youth Development, moderated the programme. District-level officials, representatives of E-Learning and Earning Ltd., and nearly 5,000 trainees participated in the event both physically and virtually.
Speaking as the chief guest, State Minister for Youth and Sports Mohammad Aminul Haque said developing a skilled workforce capable of meeting the evolving demands of the digital economy is one of the government's key priorities.
"Under the seventh batch of this project, 4,800 young men and women are receiving training in high-demand fields such as computer applications, digital marketing and graphic design. This initiative will enable them to pursue self-employment while contributing to the national economy through foreign currency earnings from freelancing. I believe this government-led training programme will play an effective role in reducing unemployment and strengthening the economic self-reliance of families across the country," he said.
In his remarks, Secretary Md. Mahbub-ul-Alam said the project's primary objective is to transform educated unemployed youth into a skilled workforce capable of securing sustainable employment. "If participants complete the training with dedication and commitment, they will be well-positioned to compete successfully in both domestic and international job markets. This initiative will further accelerate their journey toward financial independence," he said.
Managing Director of E-Learning and Earning Ltd. Masud Alam noted that thousands of Bangladeshi freelancers are already earning substantial foreign currency from international clients every year. "Many successful freelancers rarely share their stories. I encourage all trainees to share their achievements and experiences, as their success will inspire more young people to pursue freelancing as a profession," he said.
According to project officials, the Tk 3.7377 billion project will run from January 2024 to December 2027, with a target of training 36,000 educated young men and women across the country. Training activities officially began on January 1, 2025, and are currently being conducted by E-Learning and Earning Ltd. in all 64 districts under the country's eight administrative divisions.
The seventh batch, running from July 1 to September 30, 2026, includes 4,800 trainees, with 75 participants selected from each district. Eligible applicants are aged between 18 and 35 years and possess at least a Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) qualification.
Participants were selected through written and oral examinations conducted by district-level committees comprising representatives from the district administration, the Department of Youth Development and the training provider.
Officials said more than 100,000 applications were submitted for the current batch. Around 70,000 applicants were shortlisted for the written examination before the final selection of 4,800 trainees.
Under the project, 19,200 participants have already completed training in the previous six batches. Of them, nearly 60 per cent, or 11,353 freelancers, are currently working on local and international freelancing marketplaces.
Project data show that graduates have collectively earned approximately US$1.999 million, along with Tk 99.04 million in domestic earnings, bringing their total income to Tk 344.97 million. To further enhance participants' career prospects, mentoring sessions have been introduced in every district to support income generation and long-term professional development. The three-month programme consists of 600 hours of training, with participants attending eight hours of instruction daily.
The curriculum covers computer office applications, freelancing fundamentals, basic English, digital marketing, soft skills, smartphone-based freelancing, graphic design and video editing.
Officials also said trainees are provided with transportation allowances, meals and all necessary training materials. Upon successful completion, participants will receive certificates, while the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Department of Youth Development and other relevant authorities will continue to monitor the programme to ensure quality standards are maintained.
