On Monday, the ambassadors of Singapore, Morocco, Kosovo, and the Maldives visited the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) Academy in Shafipur, Gazipur. The visit was aimed at observing firsthand the training capabilities, modern technical training programs, and initiatives of the Bangladesh Ansar and VDP to develop a skilled workforce suited for both domestic and international labor markets.

Through a presentation by the force’s Director General, Major General Abdul Motaleb Sajjad Mahmud, the delegation was briefed on the organization’s training infrastructure, technology-driven skill development initiatives, vocational education, and employment prospects in the international labor market. The Director General outlined the organizational structure, training activities, and modernization efforts of the Bangladesh Ansar and VDP, highlighting the force’s role in enhancing the skills of its members and contributing to public security and socio-economic development.

As the nation’s largest volunteer and paramilitary force—with a presence extending to the grassroots level—the Ansar and VDP have played a pioneering role in national security and comprehensive socio-economic development for over seven decades. He specifically noted that, in response to the evolving national context, the force has undergone extensive structural reforms. These reforms include ensuring 50 percent female representation at all levels and integrating members—from remote villages to the international arena—into a cohesive network through a proprietary, modern ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) platform.

Furthermore, through the Ansar-VDP Development Bank and the ‘Prokolpo Sonjibon’ (Project Revitalization) initiative, the organization is fostering financial inclusion and entrepreneurship at the grassroots level, thereby making a significant contribution toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He added, “Our objective is not limited solely to ensuring internal security; a key priority for us is also the development of a skilled human resource base, fit for the 21st century, while maintaining institutional transparency and discipline.” We have established partnerships with various international entities, including those in Japan, to ensure ethical migration in the IT and technical sectors, in alignment with the standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and global benchmarks.

Through its own biometric and database systems, the force is working continuously to facilitate safe employment, provide training, and ensure the flow of remittances through legal channels—all while eliminating the need for intermediaries. The Director General expressed a firm commitment to the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) to move forward with the utmost dedication and professionalism. This commitment is anchored in the development of a modern headquarters—currently under construction in Tejgaon—and a robust, welfare-oriented framework designed to foster the economic empowerment of marginalized communities and contribute to the nation’s security. Subsequently, the delegation visited the Marginalized Force Training Centre (PSTC).

During the visit, they toured several facilities and programs, including a 6G welding workshop, training initiatives focused on green energy and solar power, a driving simulator demonstration, a mobile ICT training bus, cottage industry training, a Japanese language center, hospitality and culinary arts training, the ‘Aranya Abakash’ (recreational/leisure) facility, and comprehensive training programs in construction, driving, and the garment industry. They were briefed on the practical aspects of the training programs, the modern equipment utilized, and the opportunities available for acquiring job-oriented skills. The delegation expressed their satisfaction with the quality of the training system and the facilities provided.

The visit underscored the critical importance of developing a skilled workforce through vocational and technical training. Acquiring expertise in sectors such as 6G welding, construction, driving, garment manufacturing, hospitality, and culinary arts can play a vital role in the nation’s industrialization, the expansion of the service sector, and meeting the demands of the labor market. Simultaneously, training in solar power and green energy can contribute to sustainable development and the growth of an eco-friendly economy. Integrating ICT training with Japanese language instruction can enhance trainees’ technical skills, linguistic proficiency, and ability to adapt to international work environments.

Initiatives for skills development and vocational training—leveraging the vast network of over 6 million members of the Bangladesh Ansar & VDP (Village Defence Party)—offer significant potential for boosting the socio-economic capacity of marginalized populations. Through such training, participants can gain opportunities for employment, self-employment, and entrepreneurship development. Furthermore, these initiatives help meet the demand for skilled personnel in domestic industrial and service sectors, prepare a capable workforce for overseas employment, and contribute to increasing foreign currency earnings. By establishing a link between training, employment, and economic participation, the organization’s role in public welfare can be further expanded.

This effort to cultivate a skilled, self-reliant, and productive population not only helps ensure public safety but also strengthens national development and social stability. The visit by diplomatic representatives from four friendly nations has provided a significant opportunity to showcase the training capabilities, modernization efforts, and initiatives for developing a skilled workforce within the Bangladesh Ansar & VDP on an international stage.

At the same time, opportunities have emerged for the exchange of experience and for fostering capacity building among members of the force and marginalized communities through training, technical skill development, and employment-oriented initiatives. The event was attended by H.E. Ms. Shiuneen Rasheed, High Commissioner of the Maldives; H.E. Lulzim Pllana, Ambassador of Kosovo; Mr. Philip Ong, Acting High Commissioner of Singapore; and H.E. Lalla Bouthaina El Kerdoudi El Koulali, Ambassador of Morocco.