Mobile Computer lab: Youths' IT training for self-employment

The Department of Youth Development (DYD) has taken an innovative step to provide training to the youth on using computer and browsing the internet in Amtali upazila of Barguna.

Jobless youth, both male and female, can receive training in a mobile ICT (information communication technology) van. After completing training successfully, the trainees will be able to operate a computer as well as browse the internet.

Assistant Director of DYD Md Sultan Ahmed formally inaugurated the month-long training course as chief guest at

the premises of Amtali Upazila

Parishad on Sunday. Acting Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Najmul Alam was in the chair.

Forty youths, 20 males and 20 females, are taking part in the course under a special project named 'Technology Empowerment Centre on Wheels for underprivileged Rural Young People of Bangladesh'. Fourteen trainees receive training in a batch and trainees are taking part in three batches daily.

On a visit to the programme on Monday, this correspondent saw two trainers, Babul Parvez and Md Mahbub, giving practical training to the trainees in the ICT van. Each trainee has been given a laptop to facilitate the training.

Md Mithu, a trainee, said he was taking part in the training to acquire knowledge on computer and internet, which would help him contribute to building digital Bangladesh.

Amtali upazila DYD officer Md Tofazzal Hossain said the main objective of the training is to provide skills to the youth so they can free themselves from unemployment.

The ICT van is well-equipped with ultra-modern computer system, mobile internet facilities, multi-media projector, and audio and video systems. The trainees would be given training on all the components, Tofazzal said.

Md Najmul Alam said the training programme was organised in a mobile van so that local jobless youth can avail it easily.

The five-year project started on July, 2014, and will end on June 30, 2019, at a cost of Tk 20 crore. Under the project, 15,840 jobless youths will get the opportunity to receive training on operating computer and browsing the internet.