3,000 graduates get English speaking training

As many as 3,000 graduates aged between 18 and 40 across Bangladesh were trained in English communication skills for the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector under a 15-month project funded by Chevron.

This was disclosed at a closing ceremony for the ‘English for Business Success’ project at the Chevron office in Gulshan on Wednesday. Chevron and the British Council organised it. The event showcased the impact and outcomes of the 15-month project funded by Chevron, one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies.

The project is part of a government initiative called ‘Skills for Employment Investment Programme (SEIP)’, says a Chevron press release.

The British Council also developed curriculum in collaboration with the Bangladesh Association of Call Center and Outsourcing (BACCO) and delivered the trainings in 13 call centres nationwide.

SEIP’s executive project director Jalal Ahmed said, “Through this project, I’m thrilled that Chevron is taking important strides in investing in Bangladeshi youths for the long-term economic development of this country.”

“Chevron takes pride in investing in economic development, education and health programmes for the communities that live near its facilities. Teaching English is another kind of investment. This project scales up our efforts by tapping into a crucial market need for English language skills to make Bangladeshi youths competitive in the job market,” said Orr, director-operations of Chevron Bangladesh.

Ismail Hossain Chowdhury, Chevron’s director of policy government and public affairs, acknowledged the key contributions of SEIP of finance ministry and the Asian Development Bank.

Nicholls said, “Improved English skills allow individuals to better compete in the job market and raise their standard of living. This project has equipped young people in Bangladesh with relevant skills to enable them to better contribute to their families, communities and society as a whole.”

Chevron’s policy government & public affairs director Ismail Hossain Chowdhury hosted the event chaired by Gary Orr, director-operations of Chevron Bangladesh.

BACCO president Wahidur Rahman Sharif, British Council’s director of Education & English David Maynard and teaching centre manager Faye Nicholls, among others, were present.