Bangladesh recently highlighted its strides in skills development during the conclusion of the two-day Global Skills Forum in Geneva on Wednesday.

At the forum’s final day, a session underscored the pivotal role of skills and lifelong learning in bolstering workforce employability and productivity, attracting investments, and nurturing national economic growth, as per a statement released.

Despite persistent challenges in realizing the Bangladeshi government’s vision for the national skills system, the Global Skills Forum, hosted by the ILO Skills and Employability Branch on April 23rd and 24th, served as a platform for constituents and development partners to engage in discussions on skills challenges and partnerships in an evolving landscape.

A dedicated session on Wednesday focused exclusively on Bangladesh.

This high-level panel, convened at the ILO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, saw participation from Education Minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury, representatives from Employers’ and Workers’ Organisations, and key Development Partners, including the European Union and the government of Canada.

During the session, stakeholders deliberated on Bangladesh’s achievements, ongoing hurdles, and proposed strategies for advancing the national skills system through targeted initiatives and collaborative partnerships.

Srinivas Reddy, Chief of the Skills and Employability Branch at ILO, moderated the session, which commenced with a video showcasing Bangladesh’s significant achievements in skills development.

In her remarks, Rezwana Saki, Secretary of the Bangladesh Free Trade Union Congress, shed light on the challenges faced by workers in acquiring advanced skills relevant to the labor market.

She stressed the importance of social dialogue, increased involvement by Workers’ Organisations, and expediting the implementation of the Bangladesh National Qualifications Framework to facilitate lifelong learning and formal recognition of workers’ skills.

Acknowledging the pivotal role of skilled labor in driving higher-value production and economic progress, Bangladesh has substantially increased its investment in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and skills development since 2007.

The tangible outcomes of these efforts over the past decade and a half are evident, as highlighted in the statement.

Bangladesh has crafted a National Skills Development Policy and established a unified national qualifications framework to bolster the recognition of skills qualifications and facilitate workforce upskilling. Furthermore, the traditional TVET system has evolved into an industry-relevant and skills-focused model.

These transformations underscore the government’s steadfast commitment to its development vision, supported by significant financial contributions from development partners and the technical expertise notably provided by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

During the event, Gilbert F Houngbo, Director-General of the ILO, lauded the enduring and beneficial long-term partnerships between the Bangladesh government, ILO, EU, and Canada, acknowledging their mutually reinforcing contributions to Bangladesh’s skills development objectives.

He emphasized the imperative of climate change mitigation and adaptation through green skills development, as well as promoting social cohesion and employment by ensuring the accessibility and inclusivity of the skills development system.

Highlighting Bangladesh’s remarkable advancements in skills development, particularly in ensuring accessibility and equity for marginalised groups such as women, indigenous communities, and persons with disabilities, the minister noted that these efforts closely align with the government’s stated political objectives and developmental priorities.

However, he underscored the urgency of bridging the skills gap between the high-skills needs of industry and the generally low-skilled labor force, both nationally and beyond.

The Minister urged industry sectors and development partners to take proactive measures in promoting lifelong learning and enhancing skills development, especially in emerging sectors like pharmaceuticals, ICT, and agro-food processing.

Farooq Ahmed, Secretary-General of the Bangladesh Employers’ Federation, emphasized the pivotal role of the private sector in skills development, highlighting the necessity for more apprenticeships in skills development and job creation.

He advocated for incentives to encourage businesses to adopt and expand the quantity and quality of apprenticeship models, emphasizing the comprehensive need for industry-relevant Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

Charles Whiteley, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh, emphasized the EU’s support for upcoming talent partnerships between Bangladesh and key EU Member States, facilitating skilled migration of Bangladeshi workers to the EU through legal pathways.

He also outlined plans to support the diversification of the production base of industry sectors through collaborative initiatives.