I am Khadija Hossain Setu. In 2016, I completed my diploma in electronics from Khulna Mahila Polytechnic Institute. After that I was admitted to Daffodil University in Dhaka for higher studies. However, in 2019 I became sick and had to come back without finishing my studies.

At home I heard that Khulna Mahila Polytechnic Institute will start providing training on electrical installation and maintenance with the support from European Union funded Skills 21 project. So, I applied and was admitted along with one of my friends. Both of us had mobile servicing training before.

We have successfully completed our four- month course. The day before our assessment of the training, all the educational institutions had to close due to the first COVID-19 lockdown. After about seven months, when the situation was somewhat normal, the assessment took place.

At that time, I got a job at the Super Star Company in Khulna with a salary of BDT 6,000 (US$70) per month. However, I didn’t accept the offer and went to Dhaka instead, to do the Level 2 course in electrical installation and maintenance which was not available in Khulna. I always thought that if I wanted to make a good income, I would have to be much more efficient with upgraded skills. After completing Level 2, I contacted the Technical Teachers’ Training College (TTTC) in Dhaka to study Level 4, that consists of an assessor and trainers’ part. My friend and I enrolled and completed the assessor part and both of us were assessed as competent. Among the five participants, four were women.

While I completed the electrical training in Khulna, my trainer at the institute, Sayeka Madam assisted me throughout the whole course. She got a new job at the Ahsania Mission, so her position became vacant at the Khulna Mohila Polytechnic Institute. I decided to apply for the position as I am now L4 competent.

After the competitive process I was delighted to be offered the job and joined as the new trainer with a salary of BDT 22,500 (US$265).

Up front I will complete the Level 4 trainer part from TTTC. Then I will have a salary increment. My older sister also works as a master trainer. Since my father died four years ago, both of us are the bread earners of the family. My elder brother is mentally handicapped and my younger brother is a grade six student. Due to my mother's mental illness, we have to take care of her as well and do the household chores.

I have created my position through my skills and qualifications. I have learned that the government of Bangladesh has also started level 5 training to meet the demand of TVET delivery. I want to do the L5 training in the future to upskill myself.

Since there is a shortage of skilled manpower as well as skilled trainers and assessors in our country, I wish to become a skilled trainer and provide training to others. I am promoting TVET and skills development training to the youth and unemployed in my neighbourhood. Because I know, technical skills can give prosperity.