Skills for Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Program

The Skills for Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Program is a governmental program under the Finance Department of the Ministry of Finance in Bangladesh. It was launched in 2014 under the broader Skills For Employment Investment Program.

History

The Skills for Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Program in Bangladesh was launched in 2014 under the broader Skills for Employment Investment Program, with support from the Asian Development Bank and the Government of Bangladesh. The program aims to develop market-driven skills, enhance employment opportunities, and strengthen institutional capacity. It focuses on inclusive training, particularly for women and disadvantaged groups, and collaborates with industries to ensure alignment with labor market needs. Over time, the program expanded to include higher-level technical training, innovation support, and real-time monitoring systems.

Objectives

The primary objective of the Skills for Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Program is to enhance the quality, relevance, and accessibility of skills training in Bangladesh. The program aims to bridge the gap between education and labor market needs by equipping the workforce with industry-aligned competencies. It focuses on improving employment outcomes, especially for youth, women, and disadvantaged groups, while also strengthening the capacity of training institutions and national skills development bodies. Additionally, SICIP supports innovation and productivity in key sectors to boost the country’s overall industrial competitiveness.

Program components

The Skills for Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Program is structured around four key components:

• Inclusive Skills Training

Provides competency-based training in priority sectors, with a focus on women and marginalized groups.

• Quality Assurance and Certification

Strengthens the National Training and Vocational Qualifications Framework through updated curricula, trained assessors, and standardized certification.

• Institutional Development

Builds the capacity of entities such as the National Skills Development Authority National Human Resource Development Fund, and university-based Executive Development Centres.

• Monitoring and Evaluation

Implements a digital training management system to track enrolment, training outcomes, certification, and job placement in real time.

Program implementation

The Skills for Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Program is implemented through a network of public, private, and non-governmental training institutes across Bangladesh.

Key partner institutions include:

• Public Training Institutes:

Bangladesh Industrial Technical Assistance Center, Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation, and selected polytechnic institutes.

• Private and NGO-Run Institutes:

Partner organizations such as Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation, Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation, and private training centers provide inclusive skills training in priority sectors.

• Industry Associations:

SICIP collaborates with associations like the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Leather Goods and Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association of Bangladesh, and Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services to facilitate sector-specific training.

• Universities and Executive Development Centres:

Higher-level skills and management programs are delivered through institutions such as:

1. Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka
2. BRAC University
3. East West University
4. Bangladesh University of Textiles