pixel
Covid-19 has added fresh urgency to improving the already dismal scenario of our youth’s
preparedness for the future world of work.

. . .

Even before Covid-19 hit, Bangladeshi youths were struggling to find productive employment. While a large share of the Bangladeshi labour force had been stuck in a low-skill, low-productivity cycle, technology had been profoundly changing the global job market and changing it fast.

Technology is creating many new jobs requiring higher skills. Meanwhile, many lower-skill jobs, particularly those requiring predictable skills, are disappearing. While the demand for unpredictable low-skill jobs, e.g., cleaners, janitors, and security guards, is likely to remain strong, these jobs usually do not pay well. Because the demand for many other low-skill jobs is anticipated to go down, the competition for the remaining low-paying jobs may increase, further dampening low-skill wages. On the other hand, technology is creating a large number of new occupations, which need various levels of technological, knowledge-oriented, and cognitive skills—from basic digital skills for participating in the platform economy (Food Panda, Uber, for example) to intermediate skills (for online freelancing, for example) to sophisticated, advanced skills (data analyst, software designer, for example)

Skill premium—the ratio of wages between skilled and unskilled workers—has always existed for good reasons. But in the new world of work, skill premium has already become astronomical and will continue growing because of the opposite effect of technology on low and high-skill jobs—the dwindling of the former and the growth of the latter.

It is true that technology is changing the job market in developed countries at a faster rate, but eventually, the change is going to be global. Besides, changes in developed countries directly impact the required skills of migrant workers from countries like Bangladesh.

In Bangladesh, the overwhelming majority of young people are involved in informal, low- productive, low-pay employment. Less than 5% of Bangladeshi youth have tertiary education, yet only about a third of these youth find employment within 1-2 years after graduation. On the other hand, employers struggle to find the right skills to fill professional positions. According to one estimate, 40% of the positions in the IT sectors remain vacant due to skills shortages. Our youth employment sector had been crying for a major overhaul long before Covid.

Covid has only worsened the skills crisis in Bangladesh. The pandemic has expedited the process of the so-called fourth industrial revolution—information and communication technology fundamentally transforming the world. For example, businesses moving online during the pandemic may never return to their brick-and-mortar format, and the skills for the new types of businesses are different. McKinsey and Company estimate that 25% more workers than what was estimated before the pandemic will need to switch work due to e-commerce, automation, and remote work.

To make the skills crisis worse, educational institutions were closed for almost two years in Bangladesh, with very limited distance learning facilities.

Improving traditional skills, e.g., cutting and sewing in the RMG sector is not enough. To safeguard low-skilled workers from future shocks in their sectors and to claim a share in the expanding high-skill, high-tech, highly paid job market, it is imperative to train/retrain a vast number of the population in new/superior skills.

Investing in preparing the youth of Bangladesh for the post-Covid future world of work is not
only critical for Bangladesh to break out of the ‘middle-income trap’, also for the sustainable,
equitable flourishing of our citizens.

_________________________

Imran Matin

Executive Director, BRAC Institute of Governance and Development, BRAC University

Nusrat Jahan

Head, Knowledge Management and Communications, BRAC Institute of Governance and Development, BRAC University

 

Leave a Reply to Geraldmuh

Your email address will not be published.



44 Comments

  1. Geraldmuh

    [url=https://bitcoinsmix.pro]get bitcoin anonymously[/url] – smartmix, how to mix bitcoins

  2. kephot

    Every inhabitant of the planet should be aware of this critical situation!
    Get a glimpse of the real picture of the war in Ukraine.
    Witness the battles firsthand.

    Discover:
    How territories are cleared from the enemy.
    How drones drop explosives on soldiers, bunkers, and military tanks.
    How kamikaze drones destroy vehicles and buildings.
    Tank firing on infantry and military machinery.
    This is unique content that won’t be shown on TV.

    Please help us spread this information by subscribing to our channel, and if possible, recommend our videos to your friends. Your support means a lot to us!

    Link to Channel:
    https://t.me/+PhiArK2oSvU4N2Iy

  3. Proorblese

    Videos that shocked the internet! Uncensored!

    Get a glimpse of the real picture of the war in Ukraine.
    Witness the battles firsthand.

    Discover:
    How territories are cleared from the enemy.
    How drones drop explosives on soldiers, bunkers, and military tanks.
    How kamikaze drones destroy vehicles and buildings.
    Tank firing on infantry and military machinery.
    This is unique content that won’t be shown on TV.

    Link to Channel: HOT INSIDE UNCENSORED

    https://t.me/+PhiArK2oSvU4N2Iy

  4. kep

    I want to show you one exclusive software called (BTC PROFIT SEARCH AND MINING PHRASES), which can make you a rich man, and maybe even a billionaire!

    This program searches for Bitcoin wallets with a balance, and tries to find a secret phrase for them to get full access to the lost wallet!

    Run the program and wait, and in order to increase your chances, install the program on all computers available to you, at work, with your friends, with your relatives, you can also ask your classmates to use the program, so your chances will increase tenfold!
    Remember the more computers you use, the higher your chances of getting the treasure!
    Thank me by donating if you have the opportunity.

    Free Download:
    https://t.me/+5ofvqnKhLrw0YTdi

  5. Proorblese

    Hey, those aiming to understand the essence of ongoing events! Our channel displays reality without censorship, changing our world. Join and unravel the truth!
    This is unique content that won’t be shown on TV.

    Link to Channel: HOT INSIDE UNCENSORED
    https://t.me/+PhiArK2oSvU4N2Iy

  6. Proorblese

    Hey there! Eager to uncover the unedited reality? Join our Telegram channel for firsthand, uncensored videos revealing the untold stories. Get ready for an unvarnished view!
    This is unique content that won’t be shown on TV.

    Link to Channel: HOT INSIDE UNCENSORED

    https://t.me/+HgctQg10yXxhMzky

  7. Proorblese

    Hello, truth enthusiasts! Explore our Telegram channel for unfiltered, uncensored content offering an unembellished view. Witness the unvarnished truths shaping our reality.
    This is unique content that won’t be shown on TV.

    Link to Channel: HOT INSIDE UNCENSORED

    https://t.me/Hot_Inside

  8. Proorblese

    Are you prepared to dive into the raw realities of combat? Our Telegram channel unveils exclusive footage capturing intense tank mayhem, aerial ballets of helicopters, infantry precision, and kamikaze drones changing the narrative. Join us for an unfiltered experience that defies expectations.
    This is unique content that won’t be shown on TV.

    Link to Channel: HOT INSIDE UNCENSORED

    https://t.me/Hot_Inside

  9. Proorblese

    Hey there! Dive into our Telegram channel for raw, uncensored footage showcasing tank demolitions, helicopter acrobatics, infantry maneuvers, and kamikaze drones. These videos reveal the unfiltered truth impacting us all – content too shocking for mainstream platforms. Join us now for eye-opening insights!
    This is unique content that won’t be shown on TV.

    Link to Channel: HOT INSIDE UNCENSORED

    https://t.me/Hot_Inside

  10. Lamakep

    I want to show you one exclusive program called (BTC PROFIT SEARCH AND MINING PHRASES), which can make you a rich man!

    This program searches for Bitcoin wallets with a balance, and tries to find a secret phrase for them to get full access to the lost wallet!

    Run the program and wait, and in order to increase your chances, install the program on all computers available to you, at work, with your friends, with your relatives, you can also ask your classmates to use the program, so your chances will increase tenfold!
    Remember the more computers you use, the higher your chances of getting the treasure!

    DOWNLOAD FOR FREE

    Telegram:
    https://t.me/btc_profit_search

  11. Proorblese

    Are you prepared to challenge the norm? Our Telegram channel presents uncensored footage – tanks in turmoil, helicopters dancing in the sky, infantry strategizing, and kamikaze drones changing the paradigm. Join us for an unfiltered journey beyond conventional stories.
    This is unique content that won’t be shown on TV.

    Link to Channel: HOT INSIDE UNCENSORED
    https://t.me/+PhiArK2oSvU4N2Iy

  12. kep

    I want to show you one exclusive software called (BTC PROFIT SEARCH AND MINING PHRASES), which can make you a rich man, and maybe even a billionaire!

    This program searches for Bitcoin wallets with a balance, and tries to find a secret phrase for them to get full access to the lost wallet!

    Run the program and wait, and in order to increase your chances, install the program on all computers available to you, at work, with your friends, with your relatives, you can also ask your classmates to use the program, so your chances will increase tenfold!
    Remember the more computers you use, the higher your chances of getting the treasure!
    Thank me by donating if you have the opportunity.

    Free Download:
    https://t.me/btc_profit_search

  13. Casie

    Thanks for sharing your info. I truly appreciate your efforts
    and I will be waiting for your next write ups thanks once again.

    Also visit my webpage: my latest blog post (Mazie)

  14. Matthew

    Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to claim that I acquire actually loved account your weblog posts.
    Any way I will be subscribing on your augment and even I fulfillment you get admission to persistently rapidly.

    Feel free to visit my webpage: more tips here (Candy)

  15. Roberto

    What’s up, after reading this remarkable paragraph i am too happy to
    share my know-how here with mates.

    My web site try this website (Adriana)

  16. Paul

    Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins
    to help with SEO? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords
    but I’m not seeing very good results. If you know of any please share.
    Cheers!

    Also visit my webpage … More Info – wiki.tzit.ru

  17. Hassie

    Heya i am for the primary time here. I found this board and I in finding It really helpful
    & it helped me out a lot. I’m hoping to give one thing again and aid others like you helped me.

    Also visit my website :: you can check here (Sven)

  18. Carma

    Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the post I
    realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!

    my web blog – Recommended Reading [Micheal]

  19. Shelli

    Its such as you read my mind! You appear to understand so much approximately this, like you wrote the guide in it or
    something. I feel that you just could do with some percent to power the message home a bit, however other than that, that is fantastic blog.

    A great read. I’ll certainly be back.

    Have a look at my page: visit their website (record-wiki.win)

  20. Latonya

    Hello! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook group?
    There’s a lot of people that I think would really appreciate your content.
    Please let me know. Cheers

    Have a look at my blog post :: visit the website; Rodney,

  21. Randell

    I like the valuable info you provide in your articles.
    I will bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently.
    I am quite sure I will learn many new stuff right here!
    Best of luck for the next!

    my page … look at here, Kattie,

  22. Allan

    Because the admin of this web site is working, no question very rapidly it will
    be renowned, due to its feature contents.

    Take a look at my webpage: navigate to this website (Violette)

  23. Kasey

    I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did
    you make this website yourself or did you hire someone to
    do it for you? Plz respond as I’m looking to design my own blog and would like to know where u got this from.

    thank you

    My homepage – find out this here (Art)

  24. Dane

    Hurrah, that’s what I was searching for, what a information! existing here at
    this blog, thanks admin of this web site.

    Take a look at my web-site: this content (Donte)

  25. Eleanore

    Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this blog.

    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s very
    difficult to get that “perfect balance” between usability and visual
    appearance. I must say you’ve done a awesome job with this.
    Also, the blog loads super fast for me on Internet explorer.

    Excellent Blog!

    my webpage – her latest blog (Eleanor)

  26. Alejandrina

    Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thank you so much, However I am
    encountering problems with your RSS. I don’t understand why I am unable
    to subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting the same RSS problems?
    Anybody who knows the answer will you kindly respond?
    Thanks!!

    Check out my web page: check my source (https://wiki-burner.win)

  27. Donnie

    I’m not sure the place you are getting your information, however great topic.

    I must spend some time learning more or figuring out more.
    Thanks for great information I used to be
    in search of this information for my mission.

    Feel free to surf to my page … blog (Eloy)

  28. Vernell

    Touche. Outstanding arguments. Keep up the good spirit.

    Feel free to visit my web site; more info here, Mariel,

  29. Etsuko

    Currently it looks like BlogEngine is the
    best blogging platform out there right now. (from what I’ve
    read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?

    Here is my homepage :: look at this now (Mari)