A total of 52,200 candidates took part in the written selection test for the eighth batch of the Department of Youth Development’s freelancing training programme held simultaneously across all 64 districts of Bangladesh on Saturday.
The examination began at 9:00am as part of the government’s initiative to create employment opportunities for educated young job seekers through freelancing training.
81,400 applications received for 4,800 seats
The admission process is being conducted under the project titled “Employment Creation through Freelancing Training for Educated Job-Seeking Youth in 64 Districts.”
The project is being implemented by the Department of Youth Development under the Ministry of Youth and Sports, while IT company e-Learning & Earning Ltd. is responsible for conducting the training programme.
A total of 81,400 applications were submitted for 4,800 training places in the eighth batch. Following verification and screening, 52,200 applications were found valid, making those applicants eligible to sit for Saturday’s written test.
Officials monitor examination
During the examination, Mahbub-ul-Alam, Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and Md. Motahar Hossain, Director General of the Department of Youth Development, visited an examination centre in Kallyanpur, Dhaka, to observe the proceedings.
Officials concerned also supervised the examination process at centres across the country.
A total of 5,500 candidates took the written test at the headquarters of e-Learning & Earning Ltd. in Kallyanpur.
The large turnout across the country reflects strong interest among young people in acquiring digital skills and pursuing income-generating opportunities through freelancing.
Oral test on September 20
Candidates who qualify in the written examination will appear for an oral examination on Sunday, September 20.
Following the final selection, the eighth batch will begin with 4,800 trainees, with 75 trainees selected from each district.
19,200 have completed training so far
According to data from the Department of Youth Development, 19,200 people have so far completed training under the project.
Of them, approximately 64 percent, or 12,354 trainees, have reportedly been able to earn income by working on various national and international freelancing marketplaces.
Their combined earnings are estimated at approximately US$3.439 million, equivalent to around Tk 42.3 crore (BDT 423 million).
The figures highlight the growing focus on freelancing and digital skills as potential sources of employment and income for young people in Bangladesh.
