The discussions brought together representatives from the corporate, academic and career development sectors to examine how Bangladesh can use language skills and workplace readiness to support national progress.

The first session, titled “English Language Assessment in Corporate Recruitment: Preparing Bangladesh’s Workforce for a Changing Economy,” focused on the growing demand for English communication skills in the private sector as Bangladesh moves towards graduation from least developed country status.

Speakers said the need for a skilled workforce with strong English proficiency would continue to grow as Bangladesh seeks to strengthen its role in the global value chain.

The discussion also highlighted a major gap between education and labour market needs, with 52% of students and early-career professionals saying they lack confidence in their English language skills.

Participants said English proficiency should now be treated as a core requirement rather than a secondary skill for students and jobseekers aiming to succeed in a globalised economy.

Among the speakers, AIUB Director Md Manirul Islam and Meghna Group of Industries Chief Human Resources Officer Atiq uz Zaman Khan called for a major shift in the way English is taught and assessed in Bangladesh.

They stressed the need for standardised language proficiency frameworks, including a minimum B2 level of English for corporate roles, alongside assessment of emotional intelligence, resilience and other employability skills during recruitment.

The second session, titled “From Curriculum to Career: Connecting Higher Education with Hiring and Workplace Expectations,” focused on narrowing the gap between academic learning and employers’ expectations.

Academic leaders, including Md Manirul Islam and Associate Professor Engineer Md Safaet Hossain of UITS, said universities should align curricula more closely with market demand. They emphasised the inclusion of soft skills, critical thinking and language proficiency in education.

Dr Sangeeta Mehta, Head of English – Higher Education and Skills at Cambridge English, said findings by the World Economic Forum show that soft skills, including language ability, are now among the most sought-after qualities in employees.

The organisers said the discussions underscored the need for a broader national conversation on the future of English language education and its direct impact on employability in Bangladesh.

They also announced that the discussions would form the basis of two white papers to be published jointly by Cambridge English and Compass Education Ltd. The papers will combine insights from the focus groups with academic and market research and will offer recommendations for policymakers, universities, human resources leaders and career development centres.

The organisers said the initiative marked an important step towards equipping Bangladesh’s workforce with the English language and employability skills needed to succeed in a changing global economy.