Partnership Reinforcement for Integrated Skills Enhancement (PRISE) Project
The Partnership Reinforcement for Integrated Skills Enhancement (PRISE) Project equips young girls from marginalized communities with market-driven vocational skills and connects them to sustainable employment opportunities. Implemented in partnership with UNICEF and BRAC, the project responds to the pressing need for economic empowerment among young women who face barriers to formal education and employment.
Since June 2023, the project has been operating in three wards of Chattogram City Corporation (Cornelhat, Oxygen, Pahartoli) and in Anowara Upazila of Chattogram District, targeting 200 girls from disadvantaged backgrounds. It provides hands-on training that meets Grade-4 capability standards of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in trades that offer strong employment potential.
Project Objectives
The primary objective is to provide on-the-job training in “Beauty Care and Personal Grooming,” “Tailoring and Dressmaking,” “Mobile Phone Servicing,” and “ICT and Computer Office Applications,” enabling participants to achieve recognized TVET skill standards. The project also prioritizes job placement in relevant industries, ensuring that participants transition seamlessly from training to gainful employment.
Skills Training and Achievements
Since its inception, the PRISE Project has successfully trained and placed participants across multiple trades:
- Beauty Care and Personal Grooming – 56 learners trained and placed in beauty salons and personal grooming establishments, demonstrating professional-level skills.
- ICT and Computer Applications – 28 learners trained as IT Support Technicians, all placed in jobs where they are applying their technical expertise effectively.
- Graphic Design – 8 learners trained and now working in creative and design roles.
- Tailoring and Dressmaking – 90 learners trained in tailoring, dressmaking, and garment-related skills; many are running small businesses or working in production units, contributing significantly to their household income.
- Mobile Phone Servicing – 8 learners trained in this specialized trade, receiving guaranteed job placements upon completion.
- Embroidery and Jori Chumki Work – 10 learners trained in traditional embroidery and embellishment techniques, successfully placed in jobs within the fashion and textile industry.
In every trade, graduates have been placed in positions with satisfactory salaries, enabling them to support their families financially and achieve a level of economic independence that was previously out of reach.
Impact
The PRISE Project is transforming lives by breaking the cycle of poverty through skills development and job placement. Young women who were once excluded from formal economic opportunities are now active contributors to their families’ income, confident in their abilities, and motivated to grow in their chosen professions. The project also contributes to broader community development by strengthening local industries with skilled labor and promoting gender equality in the workforce.