The Bangladesh Youth Employment Pilot project will recruit, and train 360 out‐of‐school youth to be placed into jobs or self‐employment in the prawn farming industry. The project is implemented in partnership with a local NGO, and works closely with private hatchery enterprises to adapt an existing training curriculum and training modules developed by the Bangladesh Department of Fisheries to meet international compliance standards.

Objectives

• To develop a model for youth employment/employability activities that link best practices in youth development to demand‐side activities in pro‐poor private sector competitiveness and value chain developmentally
• To train 360 youth and place them in jobs in an 18‐month pilot project implementation period

Activities

Build a quality, market-driven program
The BYEP uses a youth-centered approach designed to enhance the prawn farming industry’s value chain and provide education and employment opportunities for young women and men. Participating youth learn how the industry works and where in the industry their present and future employment opportunities might lie.

Develop the sustainable livelihood capacity of Bangladeshi youth
In addition to the technical skills related to prawn farming, participating youth also learn skills (i.e., numeracy and literacy) needed to support their long‐term economic and social development. The BYEP prepares youth with the work readiness, technical and entrepreneurship skills that will enable them to develop sustainable livelihoods.

Build links between employers and education and training providers
The BYEP helps to bridge the gap between labor market demand and education and training program supply. The project provides education and training programs that combine real work experience with access to technical skills training. The project also actively involves the business community in identifying skill needs. Creating links between employers and trainers ensures training relevancy and helps youth obtain both employment or self‐employment upon program completion.

Build local capacity to lead and manage relevant training activities
There is sufficient local expertise in Dhaka, Barisal, and elsewhere in Bangladesh to develop and manage the training activities. The BYEP recruits local, experienced experts to form the backbone of the project staff , and provides them with any additional skills they need to develop and sustain the training activities. The project is also establishing an Advisory Board composed of representatives from local institutions to guide the development of the training activities.