Accra:Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury has called for the development of skilled drivers to boost employment opportunities both domestically and internationally. Successful training centers are set to receive rewards, and a review of training progress will occur after three months.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister made these remarks during a ceremony where vehicles were handed over to principals of Technical Training Centres (TTCs) across various districts under the project "Providing Driving Training for Employment at Home and Abroad (1st Revised)."
Ariful highlighted the challenge of overcoming perceptions that Bangladesh sends unskilled workers abroad, stressing the importance of equipping workers with skills relevant to the modern world. He noted that many countries practice left-hand driving, which can be challenging for Bangladeshi drivers. Training must therefore include left-hand driving, navigation, road maps, and modern traffic management systems.
The minister also emphasized the necessity for trainees to receive thorough practical training, suggesting that they should only drive on roads after achieving full control of a vehicle. Until then, training should take place in a field or suitable open area. He recommended eye examinations for trainees, with alternative training programs available for those with vision issues.
Women, alongside men, should be included in driving training programs, especially as many foreign cities require individuals to drive for daily activities. Ariful also advocated for training in basic vehicle mechanics, enabling trainees to handle minor issues independently.
Additionally, the minister mentioned that progress reports from TTC principals would be collected after three months, detailing the number of trainees who completed left-hand driving training. He expressed willingness to visit training centers if necessary and mentioned that successful centers would receive recognition.
The ceremony was presided over by Md Mokhtar Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment. Also in attendance were Jamil Ahmed, Director General of the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), officials from Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory (BMTF), senior ministry officials, and principals from 64 TTCs across eight divisions.