British Council hosts symposium on employability in Dhaka

The British Council hosted the ‘Symposium on Employability: Learning and Development’ at its Fuller Road Auditorium in Dhaka recently. The day-long event brought together policymakers, education experts, industry leaders, and youth representatives to address the pressing issue of graduate employability and workforce readiness in Bangladesh.

The symposium was the culmination of a series of focus group discussions (FGDs) led by the British Council with academic institutions, employers, and development professionals to better understand the skill gaps that hinder the transition from education to employment. These FGDs revealed a significant gap between academic training and industry needs, highlighting the urgency for curriculum reform, experiential learning, and targeted career guidance.

K M Kabirul Islam, Secretary of the Technical and Madrasah Education Division at the Ministry of Education, attended the event as a special guest. Evan Frendo, Learning Consultant for English in the International Workplace, and Almeer Ahsan Asif, former deputy chief of party of the USAID Bijoyee Project, participated as keynote speakers.

Stephen Forbes, Country Director Bangladesh, British Council, in his welcome remarks, said, "This symposium underlines our commitment to aligning education and employment by facilitating conversations between academia, industry, and young people. We aim to promote a more agile and inclusive approach to learning and development that equips graduates with the skills and adaptability they need in today's rapidly changing job market. It reflects the UK's priority to support inclusive and future-focused education globally, including in Bangladesh."

"The recent Focus Group Discussion facilitated by the British Council highlighted key gaps between education and employment. Today's graduates need more than just degrees-they need real-world experience, industry exposure, and digital fluency. Bangladesh, where over 60 per cent of the population is under the age of 35, has incredible potential. To unlock this potential, the government of Bangladesh has placed skills development at the heart of our national agenda," said KM Kabirul Islam.

He added, "We are working to equip young people with technical knowledge, soft skills, digital literacy, and workplace experience needed to succeed locally and globally. However, we cannot do this alone. We call upon our partners to join hands with us in preparing our youths for the future workforce."

The highlight of the event was a panel discussion titled 'From Classroom to Career: Building Skills Through Cross-Sector Collaboration', featuring Jesmin Ara, Assistant Director, Planning Wing, Department of Women Affairs, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs; Samiul Islam, Managing Director, Monno Fabrics Ltd; Samaresh Saha, Senior Programme Manager, English and School Education, British Council Bangladesh; Benazir Elahee Munni, Lecturer, Department of English, University of Dhaka; and Tanjilut Tasnuba, Commonwealth Scholar and development professional. The panel explored strategies to embed soft skills, digital literacy, and practical experiences into higher education curricula, stressing the importance of industry input in fostering critical thinking, adaptability, and job readiness.

Presentations on FGD findings revealed critical skill shortages in communication, teamwork, and digital competency. Discussions emphasised the need for stronger university career services and better alignment with market demands.

The 'Voice of Youth' session, based on findings from the Dhaka University Debating Society, highlighted concerns over limited access to training, lack of structured career counselling, and the need for more inclusive opportunities.

The symposium concluded with a networking session, encouraging collaboration among universities, employers, and development partners to improve employability outcomes nationwide.