In order to turn Bangladesh into a developed nation by 2041, the country needs to enhance productivity of its huge workforce through attaining life skills as well as hard skills.
Considering this, the government has given highest priority on skills development as part of it the National Skills Development Authority (NSDA) under the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has set the standards of soft skills for the workforce engaged in various jobs.
Md. Faroque Hossain, executive chairman of the NSDA said this while speaking as the chief guest at a workshop on unveiling the life skills standards at Spectra Convention Centre in Dhaka recently.
Ms. Eiko Narita, Deputy Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), spoke at the workshop as special guest.
Rafiqul Islam Islam, Addional Secretary of Ministry of Labour and Employment, Pijush Kanti Dey, member, NSDA and additional secretary, spoke. Md Rezaul Karim, member, NSDA and joint secretary was present.
Md Qamruzzaman, project director delivered welcome address while Dr Mohammad Munir Hossain, programme analyst of the UNFPA made keynote presentation.
Faroque Hossain said, NSDA, for the first time in Bangladesh has set life skills standard in the country which will facilitate creating a congenial working environment for industries and businesses as well and contribute a lot in boosting national productivity.
Ms. Eiko Narita said, Bangladesh has large population of 160 million and 75 percent of them are youth. 1.2 million people are adding to job market annually and 0.8 million remain unemployed while industry lacks skilled manpower. So it is very important to train workforce and life skills programme will definitely put positive impact in development of the economy.
Life skills is very important for graduating Bangladesh into a developed country by 2041. Bangladesh should integrate life skills with the skills programme and it requires fund and UNFPA will extend its support.
At the same time, private sector should be involved with the process of developing life skills of work force.
For fully industrialization, Bangladesh needs huge investment and so there is a high demand for skill people.
She stressed on the need for ensuring parity in wages for women. Presently a wide gap is prevailing between men and women in access to job and wage negotiation.
