Bangladesh

Creating New Agro-Food Processing Job Opportunities

In Bangladesh, the COVID-19 crisis had a considerable impact on  the economy – especially on women and young people  who lost their jobs and education opportunities. Many companies, particularly those working in food processing, were also highly affected. Shamortha+ works with private sector partners to increase their resilience and create new job opportunities.

  • Project Name
    Feed the Future – Shamortha Plus Activity (Shamortha+)
  • Project Phase
    2022 to 2025
  • Funding
    USAID/Bangladesh
  • Thematic focus
    Skills, Jobs and Income
    Private Sector Development
    Education and Vocational Skills
    Food & Nutrition

In Bangladesh, the COVID-19 pandemic was particularly hard for women and young people. Many lost their source of income or could not complete their education, thus jeopardizing their future. Those who had migrated to cities or abroad in search of better opportunities were forced to return — and still faced significant challenges in finding new jobs. The pandemic had a considerable impact on the economy as well, and the food processing sector was among the most affected. Companies experienced a drop in demand, higher costs, and a lack of skilled workforce.

The Shamortha+ Activity is working with private sector partners in the food processing industry to enhance their business resilience, increase production, and train and hire job seekers from marginalized or vulnerable people groups.

Through this USAID-funded project, Helvetas Bangladesh and private sector partners such as PRAN and RANI food, are working in 4 districts to train and employ 6,000 job seekers from marginalized backgrounds. These program participants include returning migrant workers, women and youth (ages 18-35). Job seekers will be trained and employed in high-demand occupations across the agro-food processing industry such as baking, packaging and quality control.

The project is also working to improve the skills and boost the knowledge of 2,500 people already working in food processing companies.

«I am attending this training and  hope  to start working soon so I can help my family and save money to continue studying.»

Nazmin Akter, 23

To ensure the training program is inclusive, flexible and sustainable for the food processing industry after Shamortha+ concludes, e-learning modules have been developed and integrated into the training program. Training participants attend a series of in-person sessions led by food processing industry master trainers, complete e-learning modules on their own time, and then are assessed and employed upon training program completion.

Through Shamortha+, Helvetas Bangladesh will also develop new marketing strategies for food processing companies, reinforce their preparation to face future crises and advocate for improving the food sector business environment.

Ultimately, this intervention will contribute to country’s economic growth and fight poverty through business recovery and the economic well-being of marginalized populations in Bangladesh.

Packaging Training at classroom at Rani Food Industries Limited. | © Md. Qazi Shamim Hasan
Packaging Training at classroom at Rani Food Industries Limited. © Md. Qazi Shamim Hasan
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Workers in food processing companies will participate in upskilling programs.
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Packaging Training at the factory at PRAN | © Franca Roiatti
Packaging Training at the factory at PRAN © Franca Roiatti
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Campaign to inform about the skill training and employment opportunities. | © Md. Qazi Shamim Hasan
Campaign to inform about the skill training and employment opportunities. © Md. Qazi Shamim Hasan
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This project is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this website are the sole responsibility of Helvetas and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.