Project Overview

In Bangladesh, Vocational Education for Dalit Student is crucial for addressing deep-rooted socio-economic exclusion caused by caste-based discrimination, historical oppression, and systemic neglect. These communities often lack access to quality vocational education in Bangladesh, restricting them to low-income, traditional occupations.

The Vocational Education for Dalit Student project, funded by the AF Mojibur Rahman Foundation, was designed to address these critical issues by providing technical skill development, structured training, and career-oriented learning opportunities. The project seeks to equip Dalit youth in Bangladesh with market-driven skills, ensuring their entry into diverse and sustainable employment sectors beyond traditional labor roles.

Through this initiative, FAIR aims to create employment opportunities and vocational education for Dalits in Bangladesh, reduce workplace discrimination, and restore economic and social dignity for marginalized communities, allowing them to break free from generational poverty and economic dependency.

Project Rationale

Vocational Education for Dalit Student is a necessity in Bangladesh, where marginalized communities continue to suffer from generational poverty, social isolation, and lack of representation in skilled professions. The root causes of this marginalization include:

• Caste-Based Discrimination: Deep-seated social biases limit Dalit individuals’ access to vocational education in Bangladesh, job opportunities, and community resources.
• Economic Disparities: Due to historical exclusion from mainstream industries, Dalits in Bangladesh remain trapped in informal, low-wage labor.
• Limited Educational Access: Most Dalit youth in Bangladesh are unable to afford or access technical and vocational education, leaving them unprepared for modern job markets.
• Gender-Based Barriers: Dalit women face double discrimination, making it even more difficult for them to access vocational training in Bangladesh and employment opportunities.
• Workplace Exclusion: Even after acquiring technical skills, many Dalit individuals face discrimination when seeking employment in formal sectors.

With support from the AF Mojibur Rahman Foundation, this project aims to bridge these systemic gaps by providing free vocational education for Dalit student, mentorship, and direct employment linkages, ensuring that marginalized youth can secure dignified and financially stable employment.

Project Objectives

1. Develop Employment-Ready Skills – Equip marginalized youth with market-driven vocational training in Bangladesh aligned with modern industry demands.
2. Ensure Economic Empowerment – Facilitate job placements and self-employment opportunities for trained individuals.
3. Promote Social Inclusion – Strengthen community integration by reducing employment discrimination against Dalit professionals.
4. Foster Professional Diversity – Encourage the transition of Dalit workers from low-income traditional roles to higher-paying skilled professions.

Implementing Organization: Friends Association for Integrated Revolution (FAIR)
Funding & Partnership: AF Mojibur Rahman Foundation
Implementation Area: Bangladesh
Project Duration: October 2018 – December 2020 (Phase 1), February 2020 – January 2021 (Phase 2)
Target Beneficiaries: Dalit, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized communities in Bangladesh

Key Activities

Vocational Training Programs

• Conducted 6-month certification courses accredited by the Bangladesh Technical Education Board.
• Hands-on training in industry-relevant skills, including:
  • Computer Applications
  • Electrical Works & Machine Maintenance
  • Mobile Servicing & Repairs
  • Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Servicing
  • Plumbing & Tiles Fitting

Training Infrastructure & Learning Facilities

• Established fully-equipped technical training labs for practical skill development.
• Provided course materials and hands-on learning tools to all trainees.

Career Counseling & Mentorship

• Conducted individual and group counseling sessions to assist students with career planning.
• Facilitated direct employment linkages with businesses for job placements.

Community & Employer Engagement

• Established partnerships with local businesses and industries to create recruitment pipelines for Dalit graduates.
• Organized awareness campaigns to educate families and communities about the benefits of vocational education in Bangladesh.

Outcomes & Achievements

Employment & Economic Growth

• 200+ Dalit youth trained, significantly increasing their employability.
• 85%-90% of graduates secured jobs or started self-employment ventures.
• Expansion of professional diversity, enabling Dalit youth in Bangladesh to enter sectors beyond traditional labor.
• Significant inclusion of Dalit women in technical professions, increasing their financial independence.

Social Impact & Dignity Restoration

• Increased financial stability for trained individuals and their families, helping to break cycles of poverty.
• Improved employer confidence, as companies recognized the efficiency and skill level of Dalit workers.
• Reduced social stigma, as trained Dalit individuals successfully secured skilled jobs and started their own businesses.
• Stronger community networks, where trained professionals served as role models and mentors for younger generations.

Future Directions & Sustainability

1. Expand Training to More Districts – Extend vocational education for Dalit student to a broader network of marginalized communities.
2. Strengthen Employer Collaboration – Develop long-term agreements with companies for structured hiring programs.
3. Introduce Digital & Freelancing Training – Equip students with web development, graphic design, and online business skills.
4. Encourage Dalit Women’s Participation – Offer scholarships and financial incentives for female trainees.
5. Support Business Startups – Provide seed funding and business mentorship to help graduates establish small enterprises.

Conclusion

The Vocational Education for Dalit Student project has proven that skill development is a powerful tool for social change. By equipping disadvantaged youth with technical training and employment opportunities, this initiative has successfully challenged occupational stereotypes, reduced economic dependency, and restored dignity to Dalit communities.

To sustain and expand this impact, continued efforts must focus on scaling up outreach, strengthening employer partnerships, and providing financial support for self-employment initiatives.

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