Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed that training programmes conducted by different ministries be brought under an integrated framework, with a unified training syllabus and certification system, to develop skilled human resources based on the demands of national and international labour markets.

He gave the directive while chairing the third meeting of the Governing Body of the National Skills Development Authority (NSDA) at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon at 10:00am on Saturday.

At the meeting, the prime minister said the NSDA was playing an important role in developing skilled human resources in line with the demands of the national and international labour markets. He said it was also an important platform for increasing demand for Bangladesh’s skilled workforce in the international labour market.

He said developing the skills of the country’s youth was extremely important. Although many training programmes are being conducted under different ministries, a lack of proper coordination means that such training and certificates are often failing to play an effective role, he said.

As a result, young people are not receiving the expected recognition nationally and internationally for these certificates, the prime minister said.

Tarique Rahman directed the NSDA Governing Body to formulate the necessary policies within a short time through a small committee and bring skills development and training programmes run by different ministries under a coordinated framework (unified training syllabus).

He stressed the need for training and certification through a unified training syllabus.

If a unified training syllabus is introduced, it will not only improve the skills of young people but also increase the acceptance and recognition of their qualifications in national and international labour markets, the prime minister said.

The meeting also briefed the prime minister on the NSDA’s administrative structure, manpower and functions. Discussions were held on national skills development policies and strategies, developing skilled human resources according to the demands of national and international labour markets, analysing sector-specific skills requirements, and short-, medium- and long-term action plans.

The meeting also discussed improving training standards, certification and mutual recognition of certificates.