Bangladesh Launches Three-Year Skill Development Programme For RMG Sector
Bangladesh’s Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) has signed separate agreements with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT) to strengthen workforce skills across the ready-made garment (RMG) industry.
The three-year programme, spanning fiscal years 2026-27 to 2028-29, aims to train 22,815 workers, employees and mid-level officials. The initiative will be funded by the Ministry of Commerce through its training fund.
Under the programme, BGMEA and BKMEA will conduct five-day training courses for factory workers, while BUFT will offer six-month postgraduate diploma programmes for industry professionals.
EPB Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Mohammad Hasan Arif said the training curriculum must evolve to meet the changing needs of the global apparel industry. He also stressed the importance of transparency, effective monitoring and ensuring participants apply their new skills to improve workplace productivity.
The programme is designed to enhance operational efficiency, support the use of modern machinery, improve product quality and strengthen awareness of compliance requirements and Rules of Origin regulations in key export markets.
BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan called for updated training modules covering emerging areas such as circular machinery operations and compliance, while BKMEA Executive President Fazle Shamim Ehsan said the initiative would help develop skilled local professionals, reduce dependence on foreign expertise and contribute to foreign exchange savings.
