Caregiver pilot program
Pathways to meaningful employment for young Bangladeshi womenPrivate Japanese donor Implementing partners:
Japan Automechanic Ltd
Location:
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Project duration:
Ongoing since 2025
Sustainable Development Goals:
4, 8, 10, 17
Background
Bangladesh is facing rising youth unemployment, particularly among educated young people seeking stable and meaningful work. While many complete vocational training, such as nursing, local job opportunities are often limited, low-paid, or lack long-term career progression.
At the same time, countries like Japan are experiencing a growing demand for skilled caregivers due to an ageing population. This creates a unique opportunity to connect trained young professionals in Bangladesh with international employment pathways.
In response, Japan Automechanic Limited launched a Caregiver Course Pilot Program in February 2025. The program aims to equip young nursing graduates with the language, technical skills, and certifications required to secure employment as caregivers in Japan.
The challenge
Despite strong interest and potential, several barriers limit access to these opportunities:
- High competition and limited access: Many qualified candidates are competing for a small number of places, with selection based primarily on interviews.
- Language barrier: Learning Japanese to a professional level is intensive and requires sustained commitment.
- Financial and logistical pressures: Many students are working in hospitals while studying, making attendance and consistency difficult.
- Geographic and social challenges: Some students must relocate away from their families to participate in the program.
- Uncertainty of outcomes: As a pilot program, students face uncertainty about whether training will lead to actual employment in Japan.
- Retention challenges: Early dropouts highlighted the need for stronger screening, support, and program structure.
These challenges reflect the broader reality faced by young people in Bangladesh – high motivation, but limited structured pathways to stable, well-paying employment.
Our approach
The Caregiver Course Pilot Program provides a structured, end-to-end pathway from training to employment.
The program includes:
- Targeted selection of nursing graduates with foundational healthcare skills
- Intensive Japanese language training over 12 months
- Preparation for JFT language and SSW caregiver certification exams
- Direct linkage to Japanese employers, including interviews and job placement support
- Visa processing and deployment support for successful candidates
Beyond technical training, the program offers students a life-changing opportunity – to secure stable, higher-income employment abroad and support their families.
Impact
5
students graduated the Caregiver program
Lessons learnt
Early results from the pilot show strong outcomes among committed participants, with students successfully passing required exams and progressing toward employment in Japan.
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