SANGSAD BHABAN, June 16, (V7N)– State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Aminul Haque today said the government has undertaken a range of awareness and skills development initiatives to protect youths from mobile phone addiction, drug abuse, and other social challenges while preparing them as skilled human resources. Replying to a question from ruling party lawmaker Sk. Md. Rejaul Islam, he said the Department of Youth Development regularly organises public awareness workshops in every district to educate young people about the harmful effects of excessive mobile phone use, drug addiction, and other social issues.

To keep youths engaged in productive activities and away from addiction, the Department of Youth Development provides one- to six-month vocational training courses through its district offices across the country. The courses include garment manufacturing, block and batik, fish farming, modern office management and computer applications, electrical and house wiring, electronics, refrigeration and air conditioning, and mobile phone servicing. Residential youth training centres also offer courses on livestock rearing, poultry farming, fish cultivation, primary veterinary care, and agriculture.

The state minister said unemployed youths and young women at the upazila level are receiving regular training in various non-formal trades through local youth development offices based on local market demand to enhance their employability and self-employment opportunities. Freelancing training programmes are also being implemented in all districts to tap into the growing digital economy.

The government has planned several new programmes to be developed within 180 days to create employment opportunities while discouraging mobile addiction and drug abuse among young people. The planned initiatives include freelancing training in all metropolitan cities, mobile phone servicing and language training programmes, and caregiver and foreign language training to support overseas job placement.

The National Youth Development Institute is currently offering training courses in ICT, freelancing, agriculture, tourism, ready-made garments, food and beverage services, and foreign languages for unemployed youths aged 18 to 35 from all districts. The institute is also planning to introduce Japanese and Korean language courses as well as postgraduate diploma programmes in ICT and Fashion Design. All training centres include modules on ethics, family and social values, religious harmony, and the dangers of drug abuse, helping participants become both skilled and socially responsible citizens.

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