Gazipur:The newly constructed Prantik Shakti Training Centre (PSTC) has been inaugurated to provide technical and vocational training to members of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP). The inauguration event took place at the Bangladesh Ansar and VDP Academy in Shafipur, Gazipur.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury officially inaugurated the centre and granted a recruiting licence for overseas employment to Prantik Shakti Limited, an affiliated organisation of the force. The event was chaired by Ansar-VDP Director General Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud.
The minister highlighted that the Ansar-VDP's training initiatives align with the Prime Minister's plan to send skilled workers abroad. He emphasized the importance of coordination with Technical Training Centres (TTCs) and adherence to legal migration procedures. In his address, the director general noted that overseas employment has been prioritized to enhance the livelihoods of force members, and training facilities have been modernized under the government's 180-day programme.
Additionally, agreements with leading Japanese companies are nearing completion, providing trained Ansar-VDP personnel the opportunity to access about 200,000 job opportunities linked to the Prime Minister's visit to Japan. The event also marked the launch of Prantik Travels and a digital facial attendance system, along with presentations on overseas employment loans and share transactions of the Ansar-VDP Development Bank.
Earlier in the day, the minister toured the centre's facilities, including a 6G welding workshop, driving simulator, solar power training facilities, mobile ICT training bus, Japanese language laboratory, and hospitality and culinary arts facilities. Representatives of three Japanese companies participated virtually to discuss skills development and bilateral cooperation. The event was also attended by Gazipur-1 lawmaker Md. Mujibur Rahman and other officials.