Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed that training programmes conducted by different ministries be brought under an integrated framework, with a unified syllabus and certification system, to develop skilled human resources in line with the demands of national and international labour markets.
He issued the directive while chairing the third meeting of the Governing Body of the National Skills Development Authority (NSDA) at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon at 10am on Saturday (September 19).
At the meeting, the prime minister said the NSDA was playing an important role in developing skilled human resources based on labour-market demand. He also described it as an important platform for increasing demand for Bangladesh’s skilled workforce in the international labour market.
Tarique Rahman stressed the importance of developing the skills of the country’s youth. He said many training programmes are currently being conducted under different ministries, but a lack of proper coordination often limits the effectiveness and recognition of the training and certificates.
As a result, he said, young people are not receiving the expected recognition for their certificates at the national and international levels.
The prime minister instructed the NSDA Governing Body to form a small committee and formulate the necessary policies within a short period to bring the skills-development and training programmes of different ministries under a coordinated framework.
He also stressed the need to introduce training and certification based on a unified syllabus.
According to the prime minister, introducing a unified and internationally standardised training and certification system would not only improve the skills of young people but also increase the acceptance and recognition of their qualifications in national and international labour markets.
During the meeting, the prime minister was briefed on the NSDA’s administrative structure, manpower and functions.
Discussions also covered national skills-development policies and strategies, developing skilled human resources according to national and international labour-market demand, sector-wise skills-demand analysis, and short-, medium- and long-term action plans.
The meeting also discussed improving training quality, certification and mutual recognition of certificates.
Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Public Administration Ministry Adviser Md Ismail Zabiullah, Industries Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Haque Milan, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister and Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury, Prime Minister’s Adviser and PMO spokesperson Mahdi Amin, State Minister for Public Administration Md Abdul Bari, State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmood Bin Harun, SDG Chief Coordinator Professor Dr SM Abdul Awal, the NSDA executive chairman, and secretaries and senior officials from various ministries attended the meeting.
