Enterprise Based Training (EBT) is a system of training established within factory premises to help companies meet the skills development needs of their workers. By establishing in-house training that is provided to national standards both employers and employees can benefit. Employers gain more trained staff while workers are able to obtain nationally recognized qualifications that can lead to higher salaries.

The group visited EBT operations which have been established by leading garment manufacturers Fakir Apparels and Remi Holdings. The visit provided the opportunity to discuss the EBT initiative with factory management in order to consider how similar operations can be established across the industry.

Mr Miran Ali, Chairman of Remi Holdings highlighted the need for the initiative to be given time so that it could deliver its full potential.

“This project needs to run until a critical mass of workers have come through the training centre and are working in the factory. We will then see whether efficiency levels have increased and if industrial relations have improved,” he said. “So far we have trained around 100 people but in the next two years we will have around 600 and then we will see a net positive benefit. At that point neighboring factories who have been picking up my trained workers will start to see the benefits of doing it themselves. This project if allowed to run for a few years more years it will show success.” Taking part in the visit were Anders Ohrstrom, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Sweden; Gustaf Asp, Bangladesh & Pakistan Regional Head, H&M; and Srinivas Reddy, ILO Country Director for Bangladesh.

The Center of Excellence for Bangladesh Apparel Industry was established in 2014 to help meet the changing needs of the Bangladesh garment sector as it seeks to move up the value chain. CEBAI is managed by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) with the support of the ILO and funding from the Swedish Government and H&M.