Govt plans to equip 100,000 Ansar-VDP members with skills for overseas employment

The government has launched an initiative to develop 100,000 members of the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (Ansar-VDP) into a skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of international labour markets, opening up new opportunities for overseas employment and improving the socioeconomic conditions of its members.

The initiative focuses on expanding technical and vocational training, building international partnerships and creating pathways for safe, transparent and legal migration.

It is also designed to strengthen members' employment prospects in both domestic and overseas markets.

Training programmes have already begun through the development of existing facilities, including the Ansar-VDP Academy in Shafipur of Gazipur, as well as infrastructure in different districts across the country.

The planned training programmes cover a range of high-demand occupations, including 6G welding, construction, driving, garment manufacturing, hospitality, professional cooking, solar power and renewable energy, information technology and Japanese language proficiency.

These skills are expected to prepare members for employment in various industries and service sectors at home and abroad.

Delegations from countries interested in recruiting skilled workers, including Singapore, the Maldives and Morocco, have already visited the academy to observe its skills development programmes.

Speaking to the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), Ansar-VDP Director General Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud said overseas employment would be pursued through a carefully managed process that prioritises workers' welfare and professional standards.

He said the authorities would assess salary structures, working conditions, benefits and overall employment arrangements in destination countries before deploying trained members.

Only members who have acquired the necessary skills and competencies would be considered for overseas employment.

With a membership exceeding 60 lakh, the force has placed particular emphasis on overseas employment as a means of improving the livelihoods of its members.

Under the government's 180-day action programme, steps have also been taken to modernise and expand the force's training capacity.

According to the Director General, agreements with a leading Japanese employment agency and a university are at an advanced stage.

The force is preparing a pool of trained workers to capitalise on potential employment opportunities in Japan.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment has approved a recruiting licence for the Ansar-VDP Welfare Trust, paving the way for the overseas deployment of trained male and female members.

The process of sending qualified personnel abroad has already begun in its initial phase.

The force is also working to strengthen its recruitment and overseas employment framework through its affiliated organisation, Prantik Shakti Limited, which has formally received a recruiting licence.

Discussions are ongoing to establish employment agreements and partnerships with Japan and other countries.

To expand training opportunities and reach its target, Ansar-VDP plans to work in coordination with the 104 Technical Training Centres (TTCs) operated by the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET).

An agreement between the two organisations is being pursued to combine BMET's technical training capacity with Ansar-VDP's extensive grassroots network.

Digital integration is another key component of the initiative.

The force's newly launched digital database will be connected with BMET's system to improve the management, verification and transparency of information relating to trainees and prospective overseas workers.

In addition, a dedicated Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform is being developed to provide continuous assistance and security support to members working abroad.

Biometric identification and digital record-keeping will also be used to minimise the influence of middlemen and ensure a more transparent and accountable migration process.

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The broader objective, officials say, extends beyond creating overseas employment opportunities.

The initiative seeks to transform Ansar-VDP members into a skilled, self-reliant and productive workforce capable of contributing to both national development and the global labour market.

By improving individual and family livelihoods, meeting the demand for skilled workers in domestic industries, generating foreign remittances and strengthening the national economy, the programme is expected to create long-term socioeconomic benefits.

Through this multi-dimensional approach, the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party aims to expand its role beyond maintaining public security and become a stronger partner in human resource development, employment generation and national economic progress.