Uttoron: Towards A New Journey

To prepare Bangladeshi youth for the national and international market, Swisscontact Bangladesh Uttoron project funded by Chevron Bangladesh Partnership Initiative (BPI) recently signed an agreement with Khulna Shipyard (KSY) to introduce internationally standardized advanced welding training first time in Bangladesh.

Uttoron project will be upgrading the Technical Training Center (TTC) operated by KSY- a highly reputed government ship building institution - to provide advanced level welding training for youth. Currently, there is high demand for 3G and 4G level welding training in Bangladesh and abroad. However, none of the countries existing trainings is internationally standardized; hence Bangladeshi workers with welding training are losing in competition in the international market. This Public-Private Partnership (PPP) will create new opportunities for our youth to acquire advanced skills and work internationally. 

The event took place in Westin Dhaka Hotel. The agreement ceremony was graced with the presence of Commodore M. Zakirul Islam (E), ndc, psc, BN, Managing Director of KSY, Eric M. Walker, President Chevron Bangladesh, Engr. Md. Shaheenur Islam, Director (PSC), Petrobangla, MD. Imrul Kabir, Director Corporate Affairs Chevron Bangladesh and Mujibul Hasan, Country Director Swisscontact.

KSY Managing Director Commodore M. Zakirul Islam said, “I want to thank Chevron, Swisscontact and the Uttoron project for taking us as their partner for this very crucial arrangement. We have enough people but not skilled people. We want this population to be skilled so that they can produce more and contribute to our economy more. We are proud to be part of it where Chevron is contributing and Swisscontact is implementing to build a skilled workforce as a contribution for the country”.

He expressed his gratitude to Chevron and Swisscontact for taking such a noble initiative.

Director Petrobangla, Engr. Md. Shaheenur Islam said in his speech, “To develop the socio-economic condition of Bangladesh Chevron’s Bangladesh Partnership Initiative (BPI) is playing a vital role”.

President Chevron Bangladesh Mr. Eric M. Walker said, “The blending of skills, technical oversight and organizational capabilities of these two stellar organizations will fulfill the cornerstones of this program – sustainability beyond its lifespan, accessibility to market-driven, demand-driven vocational skills, and potential for future growth”.