Context
Due to socio-economic background, young people living in urban slums faces numerous barriers to career success, including limited access to quality education, inadequate training and skills development, discrimination, and limited exposure to diverse career options and networking opportunities. In 2017, CodersTrust collaborated with UNDP, Bangladesh Government, and Swanirvar Bangladesh to offer skill development training to disadvantaged students residing in the largest slum of Dhaka, the Korail Slum with 200,000 dwellers.
Challenges
- Low motivation to participate in training programs rather than doing day labor jobs
- They lack basic resources such as electricity, computer devices and limited financial capacity
- Students had no computer literacy and communication skills
- Due to language barrier, the students were unable to communicate with clients in English
- Lack of follow-up support and career mentorship: Once the training program is completed, participants may struggle to find employment opportunities to start their own career
Solution
- Ran awareness campaign in Korail, courtyard meeting and parents counseling sessions
- Provided fully equipped lab for the students to practice and work
- Raised fund and facilitated bank loan for students
- Added Basic English Communication module
- Provided One-to-One Mentorship support to each student
Results
- 67% of students secured their first job within 3 months
- 350 students trained in Web Research and Support Services
- 97.5% of students were graduated
- They earned an average of $100 and increasing
- Significant awareness was developed in the slum area
- Graduates became mentors for youth living in Korail slums

Aklima earned $600 in 3 months.

“My life before the YES Program was a sad story. My parents didn’t think about my education. They forced us to earn money. From the age of 12, I used to work in a shop. On the weekend, I got chance to go to a community school. Before the YES Program I didn’t know what could be the way. Now I want to be the best web developer in the world and just want to keep improving my skills”
Shamim earned $32K in 3 years since he started the training.