74% of National Skill Certificate Holders Are Employed

Nearly three out of four National Skill Certificate (NSC) holders have successfully secured employment or launched independent ventures, dispelling lingering doubts regarding the market value and international acceptance of government-certified vocational training.

In an exclusive interview with The Daily Campus, Dr. Nazneen Kawshar Chowdhury, Executive Chairman (Secretary) of the National Skill Development Authority (NSDA), revealed that official tracking data confirms certified graduates are actively contributing to the workforce both domestically and in overseas markets.

The authority initiated a performance monitoring drive across registered Skills Training Providers (STPs) to assess graduate outcomes following public inquiries early this year regarding the global validity of national skill credentials.

The evaluation shows that 74 percent of certificate holders are currently employed or operating as active entrepreneurs. Among those in the workforce, more than two-thirds have integrated into the domestic labor market, while a quarter have built self-reliant micro-enterprises.

Highlighting the global reach of Bangladesh's skilled workforce, Dr. Nazneen said that 8 percent of NSC certificate holders are currently employed overseas, with graduates working across six continents.

The nationwide monitoring drive, which covered nearly three-quarters of active skill development centers, also highlighted strong institutional backing, with over nine out of ten reporting active job placement mechanisms for their students.

Meanwhile, Dr. Nazneen also stated that the authority has launched a detailed study to investigate why the remaining cohort of certified individuals is not yet active in the workforce, with a view to further tightening curriculum standards and job linkage pipelines.