Measuring The Effectiveness of Youth Development Training Provided by Bangladesh National Cadet Corps: A Case Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Youth represent a pivotal demographic and social asset for every nation, serving as a critical component for national human resource development. Strategic investment in systematic and well-planned Youth Development Training (YDT) can unlock their innate potential and equip them to navigate career challenges effectively. The Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) offers YDT as a significant intervention for youth development, potentially fostering both individual growth and the sustainable progress of Bangladesh. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of BNCC’s YDT in developing leadership qualities, personal skills, and community development attitudes through quantitative analysis. An extensive literature review was meticulously undertaken, investigating deep into existing literature to identify the research gap areas, develop hypotheses, and carefully place the relevant variables essential for the study’s comprehensive analysis and interpretation. A survey instrument comprising sixteen variables was devised, employing the widely used five-point rating scale to assess participant responses. Primary data were collected from 170 male and female BNCC cadets. However, data analysis proceeded utilizing the one-sample “t-test” method. 14 out of 16 hypotheses were accepted with an admirable score. The findings of the study indicate that BNCC’s YDT significantly enhances leadership qualities, particularly in command skills and self-confidence among cadets. Additionally, the YDT program demonstrates a notable impact on fostering community development attitudes among participants. However, the YDT of BNCC is relatively poor in developing creative capability and Information Technology (IT) Skills among the cadets. Based on these results, specific policy recommendations are proposed, including heightened promotion of BNCC training and social development activities to its stakeholders, the establishment of leadership development institutes and innovation clubs, a memorandum of understanding with social service agencies to facilitate social development activities, and many more to maintain the area of strength, which could also contribute to remodeling the existing theories of youth development.