Skills 21 to start implementation following programme document signing

A signing ceremony to initiate implementation of the European Union (EU) funded ‘Skills 21 – Empowering citizens for inclusive and sustainable growth’ project took place at the Economic Relations Division (ERD), in Dhaka on 13 June 2017.

News | 13 June 2017
Ms. Shamima Nargis, Additional Secretary (UN) ERD and Mr. Srinivas B Reddy, Country Director, ILO Bangladesh celebrate the signing
© ILO
Signing the Programme Document for the ERD was Ms. Shamima Nargis, Additional Secretary (UN) ERD while Mr. Srinivas B Reddy, Country Director, ILO Dhaka Office signed on behalf of the ILO.
The total budget for the initiative is EUR20 million of which the EU will contribute EUR19.5 million.

Skills 21 will build on the achievements of earlier EU/ILO initiatives to modernise the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system in Bangladesh.

Set to run until December 2020, Skills 21 will strengthen the National Skills Development System by continuing earlier reforms and by developing a National Qualifications Framework. It will work with the government to improve the governance aspects within the skills development sector, and directly with TVET institutions to introduce the entire reform package of new quality assured programmes, trained instructors and management as well as services for career guidance and job placement. The project also aims to support partnerships between private sector and relevant training providers to develop and implement effective professional education and training programmes.

Given the importance of labour migration in the Bangladesh economy, Skills 21 will also include actions for the integration of migration issues in the Skills Development System. The programme will support the returning migrants as well as those aspiring to migrate so they are able to secure better paid work.

The project will be implemented in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry Of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, National Skills Development Council Secretariat, Directorate of Technical Education, Bangladesh Technical Education Board and Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training.