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Skills for Decent Employment (SDE), Bangladesh

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The Apprenticeship programme equips apprentices with on-the-job practical skills under real working conditions. The programme was initiated in the year 2016 with an aim to deliver 340,200 quality apprentices to the country's economy between 2019 to 2023. This initiative aims at reducing youth unemployment significantly as well as generating a more skilled labor force. Apprenticeship gives potential access to full-time employment for semi-skilled and unskilled youth. a2i is the lead entity of this commitment and the Government of Bangladesh provides the main source of financing here.

Entity

Bangladesh, Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Government or intergovernmental entity

Partners

  • Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training

    Government or intergovernmental entity

    Technical assistance, expertise and implementation; Policy, advocacy and convening power; Financial and/or in-kind contribution

  • Bangladesh Technical Education Board

    Government or intergovernmental entity

    Technical assistance, expertise and implementation; Policy, advocacy and convening power; Financial and/or in-kind contribution

  • Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments

    Government or intergovernmental entity

    Technical assistance, expertise and implementation; Policy, advocacy and convening power; Financial and/or in-kind contribution

Sustainable Development Goals & targets

  • 8.5 By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value
  • 8.6 By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training

Themes

Achievement At Glance

The cumulative number of apprentices who got on-the-job practical skills under real working conditions reached 28,460 until June 2019 which is around 42% of the yearly target 2019. a2i is currently implementing the apprenticeship programme in collaboration with the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET); Department of Social Services (DSS), International Labour Organization (ILO); Actionaid Bangladesh, Oxfam and UNDP.
The apprenticeship programme concentrates on skills development in tourism and hospitality sector, agro-food sector, furniture sector, leather and footwear sector, informal sector and so on. After successful completion of the apprenticeship, each apprentice has the opportunity to work in the relevant sector, as the apprenticeship programme is carried out based on industry demand.

description

Bangladesh has a total population of 159 million and a labor force of 79 million. With a projected labor force growth rate of 2.2% over the next 10 years, 2 million youth joining the workforce every year. Among them, 0.6 million are from mainstream education and 1.1 million are trained from government/ private skills development agencies. Thus, there is a significant gap between the demand for skilled workers by the local industries and international job markets and the supply ensured by education and training centres. Apprenticeship can be a practical solution for this problem.

The Apprenticeship Programme initiated by a2i involves the industries where an apprentice is equipped with on-the-job practical skills five days a week for six months. The programme concentrates on skills development in Tourism and Hospitality Sector, Agro-Food Sector, Furniture Sector, Informal Sector and so on. After successful completion of the apprenticeship period, each apprentice will be enrolled to a relevant job sector as the apprenticeship programme is carried out based on industry demand. Therefore, the industries facilitating the apprenticeship opportunities for the semi-skilled and unskilled youth eventually hire them as full-time employees as the business entities operating apprenticeship programs have enough time to cultivate the apprentices to fit the company culture and work structure. Moreover, certificates rewarded by the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) after successful completion of apprenticeship helps the apprentices effectively promote their skills and capabilities to potential employers. The commitment aims to contribute to a significant reduction in youth unemployment.

Deliverables and links to SDG targets

  • Progress: 28,460 out of 340200 young people gained work experience, including through internships and quality apprenticeships

    8.6 By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training

    Through the apprenticeship programme a2i aims to facilitate decent jobs for 340,200 youths by 2023. Business entities operating apprenticeship programs get enough time to mold the apprentices to fit the company culture and work structure. Thus, they enroll the apprentices into permanent job structure once the apprenticeship is completed successfully.

    BY: Dec 2023
Bangladesh

Start

01-Jan-2019

End

31-Dec-2023

USD 55,333,735

Estimated total value of the commitment

340,200

young people to benefit directly from this commitment

Target: Only young people

Primarily:
  • Young people in urban areas
  • Young people in rural areas
  • Young women
  • Young men

Gallery

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