The Building Youth Employability Through Skills (BYETS) project has expanded its intervention area to support skills training in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Bangladesh’s agro-processing (AP) industry. This strategic move follows the successful implementation of its Workplace-Based Training (WBT) model in eight leading factories and reflects the project’s commitment to making skills development more inclusive, sustainable, and responsive to the diverse needs of the sector.
At its core, BYETS works to enhance workforce productivity and build the capacity of Bangladesh’s agro-processing sector to meet global compliance standards for export. The project’s WBT model is a pioneering approach in a sector that has traditionally lacked structured or formal training systems. BYETS began its journey with a comprehensive assessment to understand the needs and priorities of private sector stakeholders. In collaboration with international and national experts, the project then developed a series of tailored training modules to address identified gaps.
Initially, these modules were piloted in established fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) factories—organisations with the infrastructure, resources, and readiness to trial and refine the WBT model. Feedback from these early implementations allowed BYETS to adapt and optimise its approach, ensuring that the training was not only technically sound but also practical, relevant, and scalable.
Why SMEs?
With the model now proven in large enterprises, BYETS is extending its reach to SMEs—specifically those in the agro-processing industry, such as Shelaidah Dairy in Kushtia and Rahul Group in Bogura. While SMEs are an essential part of Bangladesh’s economy, many face considerable constraints in technical knowledge, skilled manpower, and readiness to access international markets. By offering workplace-based training tailored to their context, BYETS is enabling these businesses to improve productivity, achieve compliance, and connect with cross-border opportunities.
This expansion reflects a broader recognition that SMEs, despite being integral to innovation, job creation, and decentralised economic growth, are often overlooked in national workforce planning. Many operate with limited awareness of regulatory frameworks, minimal integration into global supply chains, and scarce access to skilled labour. Yet they are also more geographically dispersed, making them accessible to rural and peri-urban youth who might not otherwise benefit from formal industrial employment opportunities.
By focusing on SMEs, BYETS is addressing both sides of the labour market equation. On the supply side, it equips young people with practical, industry-relevant skills. On the demand side, it strengthens SMEs’ organisational capacity, improves their understanding of compliance, and links them to new markets.
The expansion into SMEs within the agro-processing industry marks a significant milestone for BYETS. By integrating workforce training with enterprise support, the project is developing conditions where skilled youth and growth-oriented SMEs can connect for mutual benefit.