Project Overview
Features
Progress Indicators
Training Partners
Success Stories
Key Events
Project Implementation Unit
Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) is implementing the ‘Skills for Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Program (SICIP)’—a workforce transformative project jointly financed by the Government of Bangladesh and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
SICIP, a Result-Based Lending (RBL) program under the Finance Division, Ministry of Finance of the Government of Bangladesh, aims to develop a skilled workforce through advanced technical and competency-based training programs across the country. SICIP seeks to enhance the employability and socio-economic resilience of youth, especially marginalized populations by equipping them with global market-responsive technical skills.
SICIP will have the following key outputs: (i) Training for advanced technical skills in priority and emerging sectors improved, (ii) Managerial capabilities and green innovation capacity strengthened, (iii) Socially inclusive skilling and upskilling expanded, and (iv) Institutional capacity for skills monitoring and management enhanced.
The outcomes will be measured through (i) skilled workers across skill levels—from basic to advanced technical skills—produced for at least 10 priority and emerging industries, with 65% job placement for new job seekers, and (ii) increased participation of women and people from socially disadvantaged groups in employable and/or life skills through specially targeted programs.
Prior to SICIP, a full-fledged program on workforce development was launched by the Finance Division, Ministry of Finance named as Skills for Employment Investment Program (SEIP), which was implemented from 2014 to 2024 under Tranches 1, 2, and 3.
Under the SEIP, PKSF carried out hands-on training activities and achieved remarkable milestones. A total of 38,633 trainees including 8,176 women were provided with hands-on technical skills and knowledge on 16 trades through 57 Partner Training Institutes. More than 75% of these trainees found employment including 384 in overseas jobs and 8,338 became entrepreneurs in addition to wage employment. For more details on SEIP achievements, please visit https://pksf.org.bd/projects/skills-for-employment-investment-program-seip/
Glimpses of SEIP-PKSF activities:
The SICIP-PKSF Project Implementation Unit (PIU) aims to provide technical skills development training in 13 high-demand technical trades to 20,500 youth across Bangladesh. Of them, 12,000 trainees will be selected from disadvantaged and low-income communities, while 8,500 trainees will include Persons with Disabilities (PWD), Third-Gender communities, and Ethnic Minority, demonstrating a strong commitment to social inclusion. In addition, at least 30% of the participants will be women, ensuring gender equity. A defining feature of SICIP-PKSF is its strong employment orientation. The program targets at least 65% job placement among certified trainees, supported by job counseling, employer engagement sessions, and entrepreneurship financing through PKSF’s Partner Organizations (POs).
The SICIP-PKSF commenced on 11 March 2025. Under the 1st Contract, Regular Business Plan, a total of 12,000 youth, including 30% women, from disadvantaged and marginalized communities will receive hands-on training. To date, training is ongoing through 24 Training Institutes (TIs). The 2nd Contract, Special Program, signed on 18 January 2026. This program aims to provide three-month residential training to 8,500 trainees, comprising 7,300 trainees from ethnic minority communities, 1,000 persons with disabilities (PWDs), and 200 third-gender trainees. The tenure of both programs will continue until December 2028. PKSF has engaged 19 Training Institutes (TIs) to deliver inclusive training for disadvantaged groups.
Under the SICIP-PKSF training program is ongoing on the following Training Institutes (TIs):
Regular Program
Sl No. | Training Institutes, Location and Contact | Courses Offered |
1. | ANANDO Vocational Training Centre, Khagrachari
Focal Person Contact: 01711284198 Email: shyamol.rozario@anando-bd.org | · Electrical Installation & Maintenance (Construction) · Fashion Garments · Mobile Phone Servicing |
2. | Anwara Muzahid Professional Institute, Sunamganj
Contact: 01713812623 Email: amprof2019@gmail.com | · Beautification · Fashion Garments · IT Freelancing |
3. | ASHRAI Technical Training Center, Rajshahi
Focal Person Contact: 01767134027 Email: salafiattc@gmail.com | · Electrical Installation & Maintenance (Construction) · Mobile Phone Servicing · Professional Digital Marketing |
4. | BASA Foundation, Tangail
Focal Person Contact: 01730044971 Email: training@basango.org | · Auto Mechanics · Beautification · Fashion Garments |
5. | BEDO, Naogaon
Focal Person Contact: 01711110033 Email: bedoco1993@gmail.com | · Mobile Phone Servicing · Professional Digital Marketing · Refrigeration & Air Conditioning |
6. | Eco Social Development Organization (ESDO), Lalmonirhat
Focal Person Contact: 01716872136 Email: ttchd.lalmonirhat@gmail.com | · Auto Mechanics · Electrical Installation & Maintenance (Construction) · Plumbing and Pipe Fitting |
7. | Eco Social Development Organization (ESDO), Thakurgaon
Focal Person Contact: 01716872136 Email: tofazzal@esdo.net.bd | · Beautification · Electrical Installation & Maintenance (Construction) · Graphic Design · Plumbing and Pipe Fitting · Professional Digital Marketing |
8. | Gana Unnayan Kendra, Gaibandha
Focal Person Contact: 01713484654 Email: skillsdevelopment@gukbd.net | · Bakery & Pastry Production · Fashion Garments · Mobile Phone Servicing |
9. | Hope Technical Institute - CSS, Khulna
Focal Person Contact: 01309136038 Email: hti@cssbd.org | · Electrical Installation & Maintenance (Construction) · Plumbing and Pipe Fitting · Refrigeration & Air Conditioning |
10. | Image Vocational Training Institute, Rangpur
Focal Person Contact: 01711474014 Email: imagerelg@gmail.com | · Fashion Garments · Graphic Design · Mobile Phone Servicing |
11. | Jano Unnayan Technical Training Institute, Bhola
Focal Person Contact: 01725663110 Email: juttibhola@gmail.com | · Beautification · Electrical Installation & Maintenance (Construction) · Graphic Design · Mobile Phone Servicing |
12. | Pushpo Technical Training Institute, Dinajpur
Focal Person Contact: 01737495998 Email: ptti.pbt@gmail.com | · Bakery & Pastry Production · Beautification · Food & Beverage Production |
13. | RISDA Institute of Technology, Savar
Focal Person Contact: 01777765400 Email: risdapksf@gmail.com | · Electrical Installation & Maintenance (Construction) · Graphic Design · Refrigeration & Air Conditioning |
14. | Rumiya Professional Training Institute, Naogaon
Focal Person Contact: 01773287673 Email: hossainmurad183@gmail.com | · Beautification · Mobile Phone Servicing · Professional Digital Marketing |
15. | Rural Reconstruction Foundation (RRF), Jashore
Focal Person Contact: 01721901433 Email: nargisrrf@gmail.com | · Auto Mechanics · Bakery & Pastry Production · Food & Beverage Production · IT Freelancing |
16. | SDS Technical Training Institute., Shariatpur
Focal Person Contact: 01718683220 Email: sttisds@gmail.com | · Electrical Installation & Maintenance (Construction) · Fashion Garments · Mobile Phone Servicing · Plumbing and Pipe Fitting |
17. | Thengamara Mohila Sabuj Sangha-Bogra, Bogura
Focal Person Contact: 01713377091 Email: tdtmss@gmail.com | · Electrical Installation & Maintenance (Construction) · Graphic Design · Plumbing and Pipe Fitting · Refrigeration & Air Conditioning |
18. | Uttaran Simanto Karigori Proshikkhon Kendra-Satkhira
Focal Person Contact: 01303-474140 Email: uttaransimantot@gmail.com | · Auto Mechanics · Fashion Garments · Mobile Phone Servicing |
19. | Voluntary Rural Development Society, Kurigram
Focal Person Contact: 01914989069 Email: vrdsorganisation@gmail.com | · Beautification · Fashion Garments · IT Freelancing |
20. | WAVE Foundation, Darshana, Chuadanga
Focal Person Contact: 01713337567 Email: salam@wavefoundationbd.org | · Electrical Installation & Maintenance (Construction) · Fashion Garments · Graphic Design · Mobile Phone Servicing |
Special Program
Sl No. | Training Institutes, Location and Contact | Courses Offered |
Ethnic Community | ||
1 | ATMABISWAS Skills Development Training Center, Chuadanga
Focal Person Contact: 01672892343 Email: atmabiswas.tvet@gmail.com | · Bakery & Pastry Production (Ethnic) · Food & Beverage Production (Ethnic) |
2 | Bangla-German Sampreeti (BGS), Cox’sBazar
Focal Person Contact: 01741357935 Email: bgstvet17@yahoo.com | · Electrical Installation & Maintenance (Ethnic) · Fashion Garments (Ethnic) · Mobile Phone Servicing (Ethnic) |
3 | Bangla-German Sampreeti (BGS)-Rangpur
Focal Person Contact: 01741357935 Email: bgstvet17@yahoo.com | · Electrical Installation & Maintenance (Ethnic) · Mobile Phone Servicing (Ethnic) · Plumbing & Pipe Fittings (Ethnic) |
4 | Compact Institute of Skills Development (CISD), Jhenaidah
Focal Person Contact: 01712759790 Email: compactisd@gmail.com | · Beautification (Ethnic) · Food & Beverage Production (Ethnic) · Housekeeping (Ethnic) |
5 | Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO),Kurigram
Focal Person Contact: 01716872136 Email: decvtkurigram.esdo@gmail.com | · Electrical Installation & Maintenance (Ethnic) · Fashion Garments (Ethnic) · Mobile Phone Servicing (Ethnic) |
6 | Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO), Rangpur
Contact: 01716872136 Email: aecsd.rangpur@gmail.com | · Electrical Installation & Maintenance (Ethnic) · Fashion Garments (Ethnic) · Professional Digital Marketing (Ethnic) |
7 | Integrated Development Foundation, Chattogram
Focal Person Contact: 01706150288 Email: idf.technical.institute@gmail.com | · Electrical Installation & Maintenance (Ethnic) · Mobile Phone Servicing (Ethnic) · Professional Digital Marketing (Ethnic) |
8 | Pushpo Technical Training Institute, Dinajpur
Focal Person Contact: 01737495998 Email: ptti.pbt@gmail.com | · Electrical Installation & Maintenance (Ethnic) · Mobile Phone Servicing (Ethnic) · Plumbing & Pipe Fittings (Ethnic) |
9 | Society for Social Service, Tangail
Focal Person Contact: 01717354486 Email: ssstvet@yahoo.com | · Electrical Installation & Maintenance (Ethnic) · Plumbing & Pipe Fittings (Ethnic) · Refrigeration & Air Conditioning (Ethnic) |
10 | SOS Vocational Training Center, Dhaka
Focal Person Contact: 01725093275 Email: sosvtcdac@sos.bangladesh.org | · Professional Digital Marketing (Ethnic) · Refrigeration & Air Conditioning (Ethnic) |
11 | Thengamara Mohila Sabuj Sangha, Joypurhat
Focal Person Contact: 01713377091 Email: tvtcjoypurhat@gmail.com | · Beautification (Ethnic) · Fashion Garments (Ethnic) · Mobile Phone Servicing (Ethnic) · Plumbing & Pipe Fittings (Ethnic) |
12 | Thengamara Mohila Sabuj Sangha, Rangpur
Focal Person Contact: 01713377091 Email: rtcrang1985@gmail.com | · Fashion Garments (Ethnic) · Housekeeping (Ethnic) · Mobile Phone Servicing (Ethnic) |
13 | Udoy, Habiganj
Focal Person Contact: 01711731304 Email: udoy.tti25@gmail.com | · Fashion Garments (Ethnic) · Plumbing & Pipe Fittings (Ethnic) · Refrigeration & Air Conditioning (Ethnic) |
14 | White Pearl Professional Institute, Mouluvibazar
Focal Person Contact: 01713812623 Email: whitepearlprofessional@gmail.com | · Electrical Installation & Maintenance (Ethnic) · Fashion Garments (Ethnic) · Mobile Phone Servicing (Ethnic) · Plumbing & Pipe Fittings (Ethnic) |
Person with Disabilities (PWD) | ||
15 | ATMABISWAS Skills Development Training Center, Chuadanga
Focal Person Contact: 01672892343 Email: atmabiswas.tvet@gmail.com | · Beautification (PWD) · Fashion Garments (PWD) |
16 | Disabled Rehabilitation and Research Association (DRRA), Satkhira
Focal Person Contact: 01852274717 Email: tarc@drra-bd.org | · Fashion Garments (PWD) · Mobile Phone Servicing (PWD) |
17 | NDP Technical Institiute, Sirajgonj
Focal Person Contact: 01747465963 Email: technicalinstitute@ndpbd.org | · Fashion Garments (PWD) · Mobile Phone Servicing (PWD) |
18 | Social Assistance and Rehabilitation for the Physically Vulnerable, Cox’sBazar
Focal Person Contact: 01684584150 Email: shahidul.sarpv@gmail.com | · Beautification (PWD) |
19 | Solidarity Technical Institute (STI), Kurigram
Contact: 01715482008 Email: solidaritytechnicalinstitute@gmail.com | · Beautification (PWD) · Fashion Garments (PWD) · Mobile Phone Servicing (PWD) |
20 | Thengamara Mohila Sabuj Sangha-Bogra, Bogura
Contact: 01713377091 Email: tdtmss@gmail.com | · Beautification (PWD) · Fashion Garments (PWD) |
From Orphanage to Opportunity: Inspiring Journey of Malakhi Hasda
Malakhi Hasda, a young man from the Santal/Saontal ethnic community of Joypurhat, was born on 24 April 2003 in Bhanui Kushalia, Joypurhat. He belongs to a poor Christian family. His father, late Bablu Hasda, was a daily labourer, and his mother is Mary Mandi. With two siblings and an annual family income of only BDT 84,000, Malakhi faced hardship from early childhood.
After losing his father in 2010, Malakhi’s life became even more difficult. In 2012, due to poverty, his mother placed him in Bajitpur Mission orphanage in Panchbibi, where he spent twelve years. He continued his education and studied science at the secondary level, but due to financial hardship and the inability to afford private tuition, he could not pass the higher secondary examination and eventually dropped out.
After leaving education, Malakhi worked as a mason’s helper and day labourer. His income was irregular, and his future remained uncertain. Later, he met Ariful, an elder brother from Joypurhat, who informed him about Ashrai Technical Training Center in Rajshahi under SICIP-PKSF.
Encouraged by this opportunity, Malakhi contacted Md Abdulla Al Salafi, Senior Deputy Director from Ashrai. Although he had no money for travel, Ashrai encouraged him to come with only his basic clothing and assured him of accommodation, food, and support.
Malakhi enrolled in the Electrical Installation and Maintenance (Construction) course. He received practical hands-on training on electrical work, solar panel-related tasks, installation, maintenance, and workplace safety.
After training, he was employed at PRAN-RFL Group, RFL Electronics Limited, Narsingdi. Today, Malakhi works in maintenance controlling and earns about BDT 13,000 per month. Once unemployed, he is now a skilled worker with dignity and supporting his family welfare.
From jhum worker to skilled electrician: Nipa Tripura’s story
Nipa Tripura, 24, grew up in Amrit Para village of Khagrachari Sadar, helping her farmer father in jhum fields while dreaming of a different future. Fascinated by electronics since childhood, she often tried repairing broken appliances and hoped to build a career beyond traditional expectations for women in her community.
In 2019, Nipa enrolled in the electronics trade at Khagrachari Government Technical School and College and passed the SSC (Vocational) examination in 2021. However, the Covid-19 pandemic and financial hardship forced her to stop studying. She later worked as a sales assistant at a handicraft shop.
Her turning point came when she learned about a free three-month residential course on Electrical Installation and Maintenance at Ananda Vocational Training Centre under PKSF’s SICIP project. Encouraged by her father, she joined the training in August 2025. Among 25 trainees, she was one of only two women. Through intensive theoretical and practical sessions, she overcame her initial fear of handling electrical wires and developed confidence in safe technical work.
After completing the course, Nipa joined the centre’s Solar and Cookstove project in December 2025 as an Assistant Solar Technician, earning BDT 12,000 per month. She now repairs solar panels and performs household wiring in remote areas.
Despite social criticism that electrical work was “men’s work,” Nipa remained determined. Her income now supports her father’s medical treatment, and she has also purchased a paddy thresher machine with savings and a loan, earning an additional BDT 500 per day during threshing work.
Nipa now dreams of establishing a solar panel sales and servicing centre in Khagrachari and creating livelihood opportunities for unemployed youth in her community. Her journey demonstrates how technical skills can transform lives.
Partnership contract signed between PKSF and SDCMU
To implement SICIP, a partnership contract (referred to as the 1st Business Plan) was signed between Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) and the Skills Development Coordination and Monitoring Unit (SDCMU) under the Finance Division of Ministry of Finance on 11 March 2025. The project aims to provide skill training on 12 globally high-demand technical trades to 12,000 individuals including 30% women, with priority given to participants from underprivileged backgrounds and small ethnic communities (SEC) across the country. Read more: https://pksf.org.bd/mou-signed-for-sicip-to-train-12000-youth/
Besides, the 2nd partnership contract (referred to as the 2nd Business Plan) was signed between PKSF and the SDCMU on 18 January 2026 to implement special training programs for persons with disabilities (PWD), the third gender and ethnic communities. Under the program, SICIP-PKSF will train 8,500 individuals (30% women), with skill development training on 10 technical trades high in demand at home and abroad. After successful completion of the training, suitable employment arrangements will be made for them so that they can play an important role in the country’s economy. In addition, those aspiring to be entrepreneurs will be provided with financing facilities through the relevant Partner Organizations of PKSF. Simultaneously SICIP-PKSF will be implementing the business plans related to training programs for 20,500 trainees during the period of 2025-2028.
PKSF partners with training institutes
On 28 July 2025, during the formal inauguration of the SICIP- PKSF project, PKSF signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with 10 distinguished training institutes. Under the collaboration, the institutes will deliver market-driven technical training and associated services to marginalized youth from different districts of the country. The institutes are expected to provide not only high-quality vocational education but also comprehensive support services to ensure the employment of the trainees. Initiatives are already underway to expand this network of partner institutes. Further, Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with additional 10 Training Institutes were signed on September 2025. The 20 training institutes are now imparting training along with other employment activities under the 1st Business Plan (disadvantaged and marginalized communities).
Additionally, for implementing the 2nd Business Plan (PWDs, third gender and ethnic communities) the process of partnering with potential training institutes is ongoing. The Training Institutes (TIs) shall be on board by March 2026 in full operational state to undergo the training for 8,500 trainees across Bangladesh.
1st Workshop on ‘Financial and Accounting Management Guidelines’ and ‘Training Management Software (TMS)’
Two separate workshops on ‘Financial and Accounting Management Guidelines’ and ‘Training Management Software (TMS)’ were held on 20 and 21 October 2025 under the SICIP-PKSF project. The workshops were inaugurated by Md Mashiar Rahman, Deputy Managing Director, PKSF, while the welcome address was delivered by Md Ziauddin Iqbal, Senior General Manager, PKSF and Chief Coordinator, SICIP-PKSF. Mohammad Abdul Moean Opu, IT Support Executive, SICIP was present as the facilitator of the TMS workshop. PIU staff of SICIP-PKSF facilitated the workshop on ‘Financial and Accounting Management Guidelines’. Participants noted that the hands-on workshops would strengthen their administrative, financial management and TMS skills and support the successful implementation of the SICIP-PKSF project.
2nd Workshop on ‘Finance and Accounting Management’
A workshop titled ‘Financial and Accounting Management Guidelines’ was held on 20 October 2025 at PKSF Bhaban-1 under SICIP-PKSF. Focal persons and accounts officers from 20 partner training institutes participated in the workshop.
The event was inaugurated by Md Mashiar Rahman, Deputy Managing Director of PKSF. Md Ziauddin Iqbal, Senior General Manager of PKSF and Chief Coordinator of SICIP-PKSF, delivered the welcome address. In his remarks, Md Mashiar Rahman stated that sound financial management reflects institutional integrity, transparency, and credibility. Md Ziauddin Iqbal emphasized that accurate recordkeeping is essential for ensuring accountability and trust under SICIP-PKSF.
The sessions focused on the transparent use of training funds, proper documentation, VAT and tax management, and financial accountability. Participants observed that the hands-on workshop would enhance their practical skills, strengthen financial discipline, and improve timely reporting.
2nd Workshop on ‘Training Management System (TMS)’
A day-long workshop on ‘Training Management System (TMS)’ was held on 21 October 2025 at PKSF Bhaban-1 under SICIP-PKSF. The workshop was organized for focal persons and TMS/database-related officials from 20 training institutes.
The workshop was inaugurated by Md Ziauddin Iqbal, Senior General Manager of PKSF and Chief Coordinator of SICIP-PKSF. He described TMS as an important technology-based platform of SICIP that supports digital planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of training activities in a very coordinated way.
A detailed technical session was conducted by Mohammad Abdul Moean Opu, IT Support Executive, SICIP. Members of the SICIP-PKSF team and 40 officials from training institutes attended the workshop. Participants expressed confidence that effective use of TMS would enhance transparency, strengthen database management, and contribute to achieving SICIP’s project objectives.
Workshop on ‘Job Placement Guideline and Implementation’
A workshop on Job Placement Guideline and Implementation was held on 09 March 2026 at PKSF Bhaban-1 to strengthen the capacity of partner training institutes in implementing job placement guidelines and updating related data. The event was attended by Md Hasan Khaled, Deputy Managing Director of PKSF; Md Ziauddin Iqbal, Senior General Manager of PKSF and Chief Coordinator of SICIP-PKSF; project officials; and representatives from 24 partner training institutes.
The workshop was formally inaugurated by Mr Hasan Khaled, who presented PKSF’s Strategic Plan 2025–2030 as a roadmap for inclusive and sustainable development. He stressed on the importance of skills training, entrepreneurship, and technology in empowering youth, expanding employment opportunities, and strengthening the rural economy. He also highlighted women’s economic empowerment as a key priority.
In his welcome remarks, Md Ziauddin Iqbal thanked the participants and noted that PKSF has recently received the Independence Award 2026, the highest civilian honor of Bangladesh for its significant contribution to rural development. He emphasized the increasing demand for skilled human resources in the context of rapid economic growth, industrialization, and global competition. He also highlighted on the role of technical training in promoting sustainable employment and reducing poverty.
Participants said the practical orientation would strengthen job placement and SICIP-PKSF implementation, expecting improved guidelines and active partner institute engagement to enhance trained youth employment under SICIP.
A glimpse of the SICIP-PKSF team working closely to implement skill development and employment of the trainees
Extracurricular Activities at Training Institutes under SICIP-PKSF
Grooming disadvantaged youth in Bangladesh and enabling their social integration is an important part of SICIP-PKSF activities. During the period, various extracurricular and social engagement activities were organized at the training institutes. These included observance of national and international days, Women’s Day programmes, International Mother Language Day events, cultural program, awareness sessions, guardian meetings, rallies and community-based activities.
These initiatives support trainees’ development beyond technical skills. They help build confidence, teamwork, discipline, communication, leadership and respect for social and cultural values. Participation in such events also strengthens the relationship among trainees, trainers, guardians and the training institutes, creating a more active, inclusive and supportive learning environment.
Extracurricular activities are especially valuable for young trainees preparing for employment, as workplaces require not only technical competence but also responsibility, cooperation, punctuality and professional behaviour. Through group participation and public engagement, trainees learn to express themselves, work with others and grow more confident in social and professional settings.
Through these initiatives, SICIP-PKSF continues to contribute to the development of skilled, aware and responsible youth who are better prepared for employment and meaningful participation in society, and community activities.
Project Implementation Unit (PIU) Officials
Sl. | Name | Designation | |
1 | Md. Ziauddin | Chief | ziauddin@pksf.org.bd |
2 | Golam Rabbi | Coordinator | golam_rabbi@pksf.org.bd |
3 | Md. Arif | Coordinator | arif_hossain@pksf.org.bd |
4 | Ahmed Tausif | Coordinator | tausif@pksf.org.bd |
5 | Mohammad | Assistant | marahman@pksf.org.bd |
6 | Sharmin Akter | Assistant | tripty@pksf.org.bd |
7 | Mohammad | Assistant | zaved@pksf.org.bd |
8 | Md. Noor Alom | Officer (Admin | nalom26@pksf.org.bd |
Gallery
PKSF Top Management Visits
SDCMU Officials’ Visits
PIU Visits
Glimpse of the Program
