In a landmark move to enhance the international employability of its personnel, the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (Ansar-VDP) has officially inaugurated a specialised Japanese language training programme. Launched under the strategic “Sanjiban Project,” the initiative aims to transform force members into a skilled global workforce capable of meeting the rigorous demands of the Japanese labour market.
Table of Contents
A New Paradigm in Vocational Training
The Director General of the force, Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud, inaugurated the programme via a digital ceremony from the Ansar-VDP headquarters on Thursday. This intensive 90-day course, scheduled to conclude on 21 April 2026, represents a significant departure from standard paramilitary drills.
The Director General described the curriculum as a “hybrid and entirely unique” system. Unlike traditional training, this programme is a fully residential, immersive, and practical language lab designed to produce fluency in real-world professional environments. This follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed on 15 January with Skill Up, a leading consultancy firm renowned for aligning local talent with global industrial requirements.
Sanjiban Project: Training Scale and Logistics
| Parameter | Programme Specification |
| Duration | 90 Days (Residential) |
| Participant Capacity | 200 Trainees (40 per Regional Hub) |
| Training Centres | Ansar Academy, Khulna, Chattogram, Bogra, Rangpur |
| Partner Firm | Skill Up (International Skill Development Experts) |
| Financial Support | Ansar-VDP Welfare Trust (Covers Certification Fees) |
| Strategic Horizon | Employment opportunities for 30 million family members |
Economic Impact and Strategic Vision
The Ansar-VDP is one of the largest volunteer forces in the world, boasting 6 million members. Major General Mahmud highlighted that the force’s broader family network touches nearly 30 million people. “Our strategic mission is to create staggered employment opportunities for this massive population,” he stated.
To facilitate this, the Ansar-VDP Welfare Trust has committed to a proactive role. Once trainees complete the initial 90-day module, the Trust will provide financial grants to cover the costs of advanced international certification exams. This removes the primary financial barrier for members seeking high-paying technical and service roles in Japan.
Regional Implementation and Instruction
The training is being executed simultaneously across five major regional academies, including the central Ansar-VDP Academy and hubs in Khulna, Chattogram, Bogra, and Rangpur. By deploying expert instructors from Skill Up, the programme ensures that the quality of education meets international standards.
This initiative marks a pivotal shift for the organisation. By moving beyond internal security and community policing, the Ansar-VDP is establishing itself as a premier human resource incubator, contributing directly to the national economy through the export of skilled, linguistically proficient workers.