BRAC has signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with 20 leading companies with the aim of creating sustainable employment opportunities for young people in the country’s retail sector. Through this initiative, BRAC’s skills development programme is opening pathways to jobs and apprenticeships for nearly 2,000 young men and women after they complete retail-focused training.

Employment Initiative Through Retail Training
The initiative has been launched to connect youth trained in retail and sales with employment opportunities. Under the MoUs, trainees—including women, persons with disabilities, and members of disadvantaged communities—will gain access to jobs and apprenticeships at various chain shops and retail businesses across the country.

Retail Sales Apprenticeship Project
The MoUs were formally signed on Thursday at the BRAC Centre in Dhaka under a project titled Retail Sales Apprenticeship. Through this project, around 2,000 young men and women from the Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, and Sylhet divisions will have the opportunity to participate in training programmes. Special priority is being given to women from low-income families.

Training and Hands-on Work Opportunities
Selected participants will first take part in a two-day boot camp, where they will receive training on sales skills, customer service, communication skills, and workplace ethics. Following this, they will have the opportunity to work as apprentices for one month at partner retail organisations, gaining hands-on experience. After the completion of both the training and apprenticeship phases, BRAC will coordinate with partner companies to ensure employment opportunities.

Participating Organisations
The MoUs were signed by Safi Rahman Khan, Director of BRAC’s Education, Skills Development and Migration Programme, along with senior representatives of the partner organisations. The partners include Apex Footwear Limited, Top Ten Mart, Cats Eye Limited, Bishwo Rang, Amana Big Bazar, Rise, and a total of 20 retail companies. Through this partnership, the organisations have pledged to expand apprenticeship opportunities in the retail sector, create new jobs, and build decent and inclusive working environments.

Evidence of Effectiveness from Research
A 2023 impact evaluation study conducted by BRAC University and the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development found BRAC’s retail training model to be particularly effective. The study noted that trained young women are more confident and better prepared to enter the labour market. It also found that trained women earn an average of BDT 1,829 more per month—nearly double the income of comparable female workers.

Goal of Sustainable Employment
The core objective of the Retail Sales Apprenticeship project is to develop a skilled workforce for Bangladesh’s rapidly expanding retail sector and to create long-term employment opportunities. BRAC’s initiative is being viewed as an important step toward inclusive development in the retail industry.