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.