Recently on 14th June 2020, Bangladesh Business and Disability Network (BBDN) signed an agreement with ILO Bangladesh Country office for implementing a project on providing Technical Assistance to Promote Social Inclusion Strategy in Seven (7) Model Institutes and Two (02) Centre for Skills Excellence under the European Union-funded skills 21 – Empowering Citizens for Inclusive Sustainable Growth Project. Mr. Murteza Rafi Khan, CEO of BBDN and Mr. Tuomo Poutiainen, Director ILO Bangladesh Country office signed on behalf of their organizations. The implementation time line is between 21st June 2020 to 21st February 2020.
The Project aims to increase productivity and better employment opportunities for youth through institutionalizing an environmentally conscious, inclusive, demand-driven, and interlinked education and skills development system responding to the needs of the labour market. The Project targets to build the capacity of relevant government agencies, education and training institutions, learners, workers and employers with a particular focus on disadvantaged groups. It will enhance the market-relevance and effectiveness of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system with the following three interrelated outcomes:
- Outcome 1. Improve Quality of the TVET/Skills Development System
- Outcome 2. Improved Access to and Equity within the TVET/Skills Development System through TVET Model Institutions
- Outcome 3. Improve Governance and Management of the TVET/Skills Development System
The Project supports the nine (9) project-supported institutions (Bangladesh Sweden Polytechnic Institute, Kaptai; Khulna Mahila Polytechnic Institute; Institute of Marine Technology, Bagerhat; Gaibandha Technical Training Center; Feni Polytechnic Institute; Jamalpur Technical School and College, Jamalpur; Sylhet Technical School & College, Sylhet; Technical Teachers Training College, Tejgaon; and Vocational Teachers Training Institute, Bogura) to be vehicles for the delivery of teacher training and skills programs that focus on inclusive strategies for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups including women, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples (IPs).
The Project will conduct the following activities:
- Establish a system for training assessment and certification of trainers and assessors including use of inclusion strategies for Persons with Disabilities and women and ethnic minorities.
- Support the model institutions in the implementation of the provisions of the NSDP with respect to an inclusive skills development addressing environmental sustainability and targeting women, outgoing and returning migrant workers, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities and other disadvantaged groups
- Provide facilities and secure provision of services for people with hearing, visual and other impairments.
- Assist the Model institutions in raising awareness among financial and non-financial business service providers to cater for women, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities and migrant workers graduating from the institutions.
- Advise IMAB (Management body of the TVET Institute) on ensuring due representation of women, persons with disabilities, and representatives of the Environment authorities in their boards.
- Assist IMAB in developing measurable and results-oriented action plan for the implementation of the National strategy for promotion of gender equality in TVET (2012) and the National Strategy for inclusion of persons with disabilities in skills development (2013).
- Build capacity of IMAB to advice peer institutions and policy makers on inclusive and environmentally sustainable industry driven training programmes and on inclusive dual system operation.