Business Desk :
A significant milestone has been achieved in developing a modern, future-ready workforce skilled in advanced technologies for Bangladesh’s apparel industry, through the joint collaboration of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the government’s Skills for Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Program (SICIP).
Certificates were formally awarded to 1,175 promising trainees who successfully completed specialized training under this joint initiative at a ceremony held Thursday at the Nurul Quader Auditorium of the BGMEA Complex.
The trainees, all graduates from various academic institutions, have been equipped with industry-relevant skills aligned with the technological transformation underway in the apparel sector.
BGMEA President and Chairperson of the SICIP-BGMEA Project Mahmud Hasan Khan attended the event as the chief guest and handed over certificates to the participants.
In the second session, BGMEA Senior Vice-President Enamul Haque Khan also distributed certificates among the trainees.
The event was presided over by BGMEA Vice-President and member of the SICIP-BGMEA Project Committee Md. Shihab Uddoja Chowdhury while BGMEA Director and SICIP-BGMEA Project Committee Member Rumana Rashid attended as special guest.
BGMEA Director and Project Committee Member Majumdar Arifur Rahman delivered the keynote speech, said a press release.
BGMEA Directors Nafis-ud-Doula and Kazi Mizanur Rahman, along with chairpersons of various standing committees were also present.
The programme was conducted by Munir Chowdhury, chief coordinator of the SICIP-BGMEA Project.
At the beginning of the ceremony, BGMEA President and SICIP-BGMEA Project Chairperson Mahmud Hasan Khan was presented with a token of appreciation by three Project Committee members-BGMEA Vice-President Md. Shihab Uddoja Chowdhury, Director Majumdar Arifur Rahman and Director Rumana Rashid.
Speaking as the chief guest, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said production costs in the industry continue to rise due to various global and domestic factors while product prices are not increasing accordingly. In such circumstances, skill development is essential to remain competitive in the global market.
He noted that the apparel industry is shifting focus from basic garment manufacturing to industrial engineering.
“Today, design tools such as apparel design software, 3D designing software, computer-aided manufacturing and digital printing technology are widely used. I encourage all trainees to engage deeply in these emerging fields,” the BGMEA head added.
He described the certified trainees as “the future architects of the industry,” and emphasized that they will play a vital role as change-makers in advancing digital transformation.
In his keynote presentation, BGMEA Director Majumdar Arifur Rahman highlighted the overall progress of the SICIP-BGMEA initiative.
He said that the Ministry of Finance’s Finance Division, SICIP and BGMEA have
been working together since 2024 with the goal of training 10,000 individuals
for the apparel sector.
Currently, 12 courses are being offered across 20 training centers.
He noted the following achievements under the programme: Certification
completion rate stands at 81.42 percent; At least 65 percent of trainees are
being supported with employment opportunities; Female participation has
reached 52 percent-significantly higher than the government’s target of 30
percent.
SICIP (Skills for Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Program) is a
flagship initiative of the government of Bangladesh aimed at enhancing
industrial skills, competitiveness and innovation.
The programme is financed and technically supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and implemented under the Ministry of Finance’s Finance Division.
BGMEA serves as the key partner for delivering sector-specific training for
the ready-made garment industry.
