ILO Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Reform Project comes to a close
The contribution of the International Labour Organization’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Reform Project to establishing a stronger skills development system in Bangladesh was recognized at a closing ceremony for the initiative held in Dhaka 7 December 2015.
Speaking at the event, Srinivas Reddy, ILO Country Director for Bangladesh said, “During its lifespan the TVET reform project has helped address many of the structural weaknesses in the national skills system. Fundamental to this has been the development of a new National Skills Development Policy which provides a firm foundation for the future development of skills in Bangladesh.”
“The National Vocational Qualification Framework allows skills gained from all technical training centres to be equally recognized and will greatly aid local workplace mobility. International recognition of these qualifications will also help workers seeking employment opportunities overseas,” said Mr Reddy.
The project played a major role in helping bridge the mismatch between industry skills demand and the courses being taught in training institutions. A number of Industry Skills Councils have been created to provide the link between training and employment while public-private partnerships between training institutes and industry have also been successfully launched.
In addition, teaching skills of instructors have been improved with quality and competency standards also developed. The apprenticeship system has been reinvigorated and efforts made to ensure inclusion in the workforce, such as for disabled workers and women. In addition, the Government has reactivated the National Skills Development Council chaired by the Honorable Prime Minister to act as a coordination mechanism between the various ministries involved in skills development.
Speaking at the event, EU Ambassador Pierre Mayaudon said, “We are extremely satisfied with the outcome and achievements of the TVET programme. The National Skills Development Policy and Skills Council will both play a key role. Meanwhile, more than 10,000 young people including those with disabilities have been trained which is high on the agenda of the EU.”
Work of the TVET Reform in Bangladesh Project is being built upon by skills-related initiatives funded by a variety of other donors. Amongst these is ILO’s Canadian-funded Bangladesh Skills for Employment and Productivity (B-SEP) Project which aims to make skills in Bangladesh nationally recognized, accessible to all, higher quality and directly linked to jobs.
Taking part in the closing ceremony at the Pan Pacific Sonargoan Hotel in Dhaka were Mr Nurul Islam Nahid MP, Honourable Minister, Ministry of Education, Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh; Mr Pierre Mayaudon, Ambassador & Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh; Mr A S Mahmud, Secretary (in-charge), Ministry of Education, and Co-Chair, of Project Steering Committee, TVET Reform in Bangladesh Project; Mr Mikail Shipar, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment; Mr Ashoke Kumar Biswas, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dg, DTE & National Project Director, TVET Reform Project; Mr Salahuddin Kashem Khan, President, Bangladesh Employer’s Federation; and Mr Shafiuddin Ahmed, President; National Coordination Committee for Workers Education.
Visit TVET project for further information and its achievements.
