$79m govt-WB deal signed to improve workers' skills

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FE Report
The government and the World Bank (WB) Wednesday signed a deal to implement a five-year project worth US$ 79 million to improve skills of unskilled and semi-skilled workers to prepare them for rapidly changing global labour market.
Some 45 short-term training providers and 22 polytechnic institutes in both public and private sectors will implement the scheme called Skills and Training Enhancement Project (STEP).
Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid was present as the chief guest at the performance contract signing ceremony at the conference room of Directorate of Technical Education while head of the WB, Bangladesh office, Ellen Goldstein and education secretary Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, were present as the special guests on the occasion.
Professor Abul Kashem, director general, Directorate of Technical Education and Principal/Head of 45 public-private institutes signed the contract on behalf of their respective parties.
The five-year project is aimed at supporting about 0.16 million student-years through 'stipend for diploma' education and accommodate 50,000 others in short-term training courses.
The focus of the project is to improve technical and vocational education and training system in Bangladesh, one of the major manpower exporting countries with as many as eight million of its workers, mostly unskilled and semiskilled engaged in different professions across the globe.
Nahid said there is still social stigma that keeps away students from receiving technical education.
"Only one per cent of the country's total students were engaged in technical and vocational institutes After much try for last two years we made it double which is insignificant," added the minister.
"We must prepare our young generation with skills and knowledge," said Nahid, adding, the problem is many of the institutions are not linked with industries.
He said the government alone cannot train up all the unskilled people without the cooperation of private sector institutions.
"We hope this project will aid in helping Bangladeshi workers be recognised abroad as skilled manpower and contribute to the growth of the manufacturing and other sectors within the country," said Nahid.
Ellen Goldstein said, "Improving skills of workers will help them command higher wages in international markets and lead to an increase in Bangladesh's remittance earnings."
In her address, she mentioned, in 2010, Bangladesh was ranked as the 7th manpower exporting country and migrant workers remitted nearly US$ 11.6 billion in FY 2011.
"Bangladesh's growing workforce supports key export industries and generates remittances that contribute a significant amount to the economy. Bangladesh has also emerged as an exporting power house and the country's growth in ready made garments and knitwear exports has been impressive," said the WB country head.
The project will also help develop high-quality workers who will be able to respond to the needs of both domestic and international labour markets, said Goldstein.