United News of Bangladesh

To strengthen the linkage between skills development initiatives and industry demand and to make the national skills development system more labour market–oriented, the National Skills Development Authority (NSDA) has provided office and technical equipment worth around Tk 1 crore to thirteen Industry Skills Councils (ISCs). The support is expected to play a significant role in enhancing industry engagement and strengthening the institutional capacity of the ISCs, according to a press release. The equipment, supplied with assistance from the Accelerating and Strengthening Skills for Economic Transformation (ASSET) project, was formally handed over to representatives of the ISCs at a programme held at the NSDA conference room on Sunday. Read More: Lutfey Siddiqi suggests modern, demand-driven curricula at NSDA The Chief Guest at the event was Chief Secretary to the Chief Adviser, M Siraj Uddin Mia. The programme was presided over by Dr Nazneen Kawsar Chowdhury, Executive Chairman (Secretary) of the National Skills Development Authority. In his address, the Chief Guest called upon the Industry Skills Councils to play a more proactive role in making the skills development system labour market–oriented by ensuring direct participation of industry stakeholders. He said that strengthening the institutional capacity of the ISCs would help develop a skilled workforce based on real industry demand, improve the quality of training, and promote sustainable employment. In her remarks, Dr Nazneen Kawsar Chowdhury said that the NSDA has been working relentlessly to build an integrated and sustainable national skills development ecosystem based on strong industry linkages. She noted that providing necessary office and technical equipment to the ISCs would make their operations more dynamic and effective. She added that this support would further strengthen sector-based skills standards development, curriculum improvement and the implementation of industry-relevant training programmes. As part of the initiative, office and technical equipment worth approximately Tk 1 crore has been provided to the ISCs. Read More:  Govt seeks to build skilled manpower in tourism sector: NSDA The equipment includes desktop and laptop computers, printers, scanners, photocopiers, Wi-Fi routers, multimedia projectors, digital cameras, IPS and UPS units, conference sound systems, interactive flat panels and other essential office and technological devices. Representatives of the 13 Industry Skills Councils, along with NSDA members, directors and concerned officials, were present at the event. Industry Skills Councils play a crucial role in identifying industry skill demands, developing skills standards and training frameworks, and linking skilled manpower with the labour market. NSDA’s initiative is expected to make a meaningful contribution to strengthening an industry-linked skills development system in Bangladesh.

The annual performance agreements (APAs) 2022-23 were signed between the prime minister's office and its attached seven agencies including Ashrayan-2 project on Thursday. PMO senior secretary Tofazzel Hossain Miah and the heads of the agencies inked the agreements on behalf of their respective sides at the PMO. In the APAs, the seven agencies made different commitments over their performances for the fiscal year of 2022-23. Also read: Increase oxygen supply, Corona beds: PMO Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Ahmad Kaikaus and Principal Coordinator for SDG Affairs at the PMO Zuena Aziz spoke at the signing event presided over by Tofazzel Hossain Miah. The seven agencies are Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA), Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority (BEPZA), National Skills Development Authority (NSDA), Public Private Partnership (PPP) Authority, NGO Affairs Bureau and Ashrayan-2 Project. The APA is a result-based working plan to reach the desired goal through increasing the efficiency and accountability of the public servant. In the 2014-15 fiscal year, the Awami League government introduced the APA method in a bid to get better performance from all the ministries and divisions. In the process, all the subordinate departments, agencies or offices also sign the APAs with their respective ministries, divisions or higher offices.

Executive Chairman of National Skills Development Authority (NSDA) Dulal Krishna Saha, and Director General, Non-Governmental Organization Affairs Bureau (NGOAB) K.M.Tariqul Islam, recently visited Uttoron project in Sylhet and Habiganj. The project is funded by Chevron and implemented by Swisscontact Bangladesh.Uttoron Skills for better life is a three-year project providing vocational training to 2000 youth in Dhaka and Sylhet division, said a press release. Also read: Bangladesh hunts talents for WorldSkills Shanghai 2022During the visit, the officials met the trainers and the trainees. Trainees shared their experiences and their aspiration with the officials.The NSDA Executive Chairman and the NGOAB DG appreciated the quality of training and the innovative ideas Uttoron is implementing to build a better workforce for Bangladesh. Also read: BYLC to instill leadership skills in 3,000 youthsThe project has introduced a new trade Packaging and Finishing Operation to meet the demand of the packaging industry first time in Bangladesh. The Prime Minister’s office has already approved the trade.

The National Skills Development Authority (NSDA) Wednesday launched the Creative Media Industry Skills Council (CMISC) for creative skills training and development.