PHOTO: STAR

One of the integral yet challenging part of the skill ecosystem would be the informal skills sector, which has been ignored for years, though 87 percent of the total industrial contribution to the GDP comes from this particular sector in Bangladesh.

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Government TVET institutes (i.e. TSCs, TTCs) and TVET institutes run by reputed private organisations like UCEP Bangladesh, MAWTS etc. have to play vital roles, both in the apex body and as an implementing agency to promote coordinated role in the ecosystem.

One of the integral yet challenging part of the skill ecosystem would be the informal skills sector, which has been ignored for years, though 87 percent of the total industrial contribution to the GDP comes from this particular sector in Bangladesh. Moreover, it has been playing a major role in generating employment, which is significantly valuable from a social economic aspect.

The informal sector requires meaningful investment and systematic approach in four different aspects. These are: (i) regional focus and planning for a comprehensive program to promote value chain system on priority sub-sectors; (ii) expanded opportunity for non-formal skills training through a standard framework; (iii) formal certification and wage matrix; and (iv) entrepreneurship and business promotion support through active engagement of financial agencies and relevant authorities.

The 21st century looks for competent workforce, preferably with IT and automation skills, and not just labour. Hence, skill ecosystem would focus on integrating soft skills as a fundamental requirement for continuous ups-kills, and adopt technologies related to 4IR, which would be the focus of excellence to address rapidly changing scenario in the global skill economy. The latter demands higher-level skill-mix to enable the workforce to engage in innovation, improve the quality of products and services, and even improve the whole value chain system.

Bangladesh is inclined to tune all positive efforts for skill economy where regional skill ecosystem would play a vital role to help the young generation develop as a progressive, productive, responsive, and competitive workforce.