BQSP Newsletter No. 1 |
October 2006 |
“Needs Assessment for Strengthening Bangladesh Primary Textile & RMG Industry (Training, Research, Design, Testing and Consultancy Needs)”
The study, conducted in 2006, was commissioned by UNIDO under the Textiles/RMG project of BQSP. The study was designed to identify the needs of the sector for training in the technical, production management and marketing areas, and for other support services.
The survey included seventy two small, medium and large enterprises, and textiles and RMG training institutions, with a special emphasis on the role of the National Institute of Textile Training Research & Design (NITTRAD) and BGMEA Institute of Fashion Technology (BIFT).
The study concluded that it was essential that the textiles/RMG industries improved productivity, quality standards, cost control and marketing if it was to sustain the current rate of growth. There was a need for improved training, design, research, testing, and consultancy and technical services.
Many companies had ambitions to expand their export market and upgrade their product range, quality standards, and marketing methods. But these aims were often unrealistic given their current skill levels, business methods, and organizational structures. The gap between aspirations and capabilities could be narrowed through improved training opportunities in those areas where weaknesses had been identified.
There is a serious shortage of skilled manpower and the shortfall will become ever more severe as the industry attempts to maintain the current rate of growth. It was estimated that at present the sector employs around 40,000 professional and management staff, approximately half of whom work in technical and engineering functions. Of these around 80% have received formal training, around 2,000 to degree level, 5,000 to diploma level, and 9,000 in vocational courses. Only around 100 were educated or trained overseas. Around 4,000 have no formal training but have learnt ‘on-the-job’.
The authors of the report estimate, that the sector requires almost twice this number of technicians/engineers, and more than 50% more trained professionals in management and marketing. At the present rate of growth, by 2010, the sector will require three times the number of professional and technical personnel currently employed.
There is an urgent need to increase the number of training places as well as the technical and professional standard of the courses offered.
