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Name of Project: YPSA a2i Improving Skills and Economic Opportunities for the Bangladeshi Community and Rohingya Women & Youth in Cox’s Bazar’ (ISEC) project.
Project Duration: October 2023-December 2024
Location: Cox’s Bazar Sadar and Ramu Upzila
Objectives of Project: Provide Technical Skills to the Kawmi (Islamic Religious Education Institution) Madrasa Students in Cox’s Bazar
Details: Under the ‘Leaving No One Behind: Improving Skills and Economic Opportunities for the Bangladeshi Community and Rohingya Women & Youth in Cox’s Bazar’ (ISEC) project, funded by Canada and the Netherlands – aims to ensure decent work, build resilience, and social cohesion amongst Cox’s Bazar’s host communities and Rohingya refugees., the YPSA-YES Center (https://ypsa.org/ypsa-yes-center/) has made significant strides in empowering young people in Cox’s Bazar by enhancing their employability through market-driven technical skills development. As part of this initiative, a total of 180 youths from Cox’s Bazar Dist. have received comprehensive technical training designed to promote sustainable livelihoods and reduce youth unemployment.
Among them, 80 young women were trained in Tailoring and Dressmaking at Mohasania Para Balika Madrasa, gaining the skills necessary to produce garments, operate sewing machines, and manage small-scale tailoring enterprises. Similarly, 40 male youths from Rajarkul Madrasa in Ramu were equipped with Computer Operation skills, enabling them to adapt to the growing demand for digital literacy in both public and private sectors. Additionally, 40 young women from Imam Muslim Madrasa, Link Road, completed training on Computer Operations, which not only improved their technical capacity but also built their confidence to pursue employment in offices, educational institutions, and online platforms.
In parallel, 20 male participants received intensive, hands-on training in Electrical Installation and Maintenance at the YPSA-YES Center, learning practical skills in wiring, repairing, and maintaining household and commercial electrical systems. These trainings were conducted under the guidance of professional instructors, with a strong emphasis on safety standards, workplace discipline, and entrepreneurship development. Beyond technical instruction, participants were also oriented on communication, teamwork, and financial literacy-essential soft skills for entering today’s competitive job market.
Following the completion of all training cycles, 67% of the trained youths are now successfully engaged in income-generating activities-IGA, including both wage employment and self-employment ventures. Many of them have secured jobs in tailoring shops, computer service centers, and electrical maintenance firms, while others have started small businesses within their communities. The initiative not only contributed to individual empowerment but also supported local economic growth and social resilience in Cox’s Bazar, a district often challenged by poverty, limited job opportunities, and migration pressures. Through this effort, YPSA has demonstrated its ongoing commitment to youth empowerment, skill development, and inclusive economic participation—ensuring that young people, particularly women and marginalized groups, can build dignified and sustainable futures in their own communities.