Stronger Skills System to help achieve economic growth and decent work

The formulation and adoption of the National Skills Development Policy 2011 (NSDP 2011) was a milestone in the country’s skills landscape. There are several important areas of convergence between the SDGs and the NSDP goals such as poverty alleviation, job creation, inclusion of underrepresented and marginalized groups and promotion of decent work.

Panel discussants from NSDC, PMO and Donor Agencies
Steps to strengthen the National Skills Development Policy (NSDP) so that it can better contribute to achieving inclusive economic growth and decent work in Bangladesh were discussed at a workshop held in Dhaka today.

Organized by the National Skills Development Council (NSDC) Secretariat, in collaboration with the ILO’s Canadian-funded B-SEP project and EU-funded Skills 21 project, the event saw stakeholders seek ways to reinforce the NSDP in order to help meet Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8. SDG 8 sets out to create opportunities for decent work and ensure economic growth for all.

During the workshop, participants identified gaps in the current skills policy including coordination mechanisms as well as data and resources required to achieve relevant SDGs. They also made recommendations to address those gaps.
Presiding over the event, Mr Abul Kalam Azad, Principal Coordinator (SDG Affairs), Prime Minister’s Office said, “The Government of Bangladesh has taken a number of practical steps to help meet the SDGs in line with the 7th Five Year Plan. Skills development will play a vital role in helping us attain inclusive economic growth and creating employment opportunities.”

The formulation and adoption of the National Skills Development Policy 2011 (NSDP 2011) was a milestone in the country’s skills landscape. There are several important areas of convergence between the SDGs and the NSDP goals such as poverty alleviation, job creation, inclusion of underrepresented and marginalized groups and promotion of decent work.

“With large number of stakeholders involved in the skills field in Bangladesh it is important to develop a long-term action plan that aligns skills development with the Sustainable Development Goals and targets,” said Mr Kishore Kumar Singh, Chief Technical Advisor, B-SEP project, ILO.

Mr. Mohd Monirul Islam, Deputy Chief- General Economics Division, Planning Commission made a brief presentation on the progress, challenges and way forward towards SDG implementation in Bangladesh.

The ongoing contribution of development partners to a national skills development plan to achieve SDG 8 was also discussed. Representatives from the European Union Delegation to Bangladesh and High Commission of Canada expressed their interest to continue working with the Government of Bangladesh to strengthen its skills system.

During the event areas of discussion included Policy gaps within the NSDP 2011 to bring it in line with the SDGs. Institutional strengthening and capacity development to help move towards a nationally recognized system of skills development were highlighted as were gaps in the current availability of data in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system. Financing needs and the role of recently-established “National Human Resources Development Fund” (NHDRF) were also discussed.