Fabric of Change: Swisscontact's approach in upskilling RMG workers in Bangladesh 

Swisscontact Bangladesh hosted an experience-sharing event with key stakeholders of the RMG sector, titled "Fabric of Change: Role of Swisscontact in Upskilling RMG Workers in Bangladesh '' at the Renaissance Hotel, Dhaka.

This event showcased the experience and learning from Swisscontact's three skills development projects, Sarathi - Improving Financial Health, Promoting Green Growth in the Ready-Made Garments Sector Through Skills (PROGRESS), and Building Youth Employability through Skills (BYETS).

Mohammad Sohel Sadat, Director, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Md. Akhter Hossain Apurbo, Vice President, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Associations (BKMEA), Dr. Rajesh Bheda, CEO and Managing Director, Rajesh Bheda Consulting BD Pvt. Limited (RBC), and Omar Gias, Director of Strategic Engagements of Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE) were present as special guests at the event. 

The discussion commenced with opening remarks by the Country Director of Swisscontact Bangladesh, Mujibul Cezanne Hasan, followed by a keynote speech by Nadia Afrin Shams, Team Leader of the BYETS project. Senior managers from Swisscontact's flagship projects  Salma Akhter (Sarathi), Mir Rafiat Salman (PROGRESS), and Md. Muntasir (BYETS) shared the project achievements in upskilling women workers in the RMG sector and supporting the sector to meet global compliance standards among other key achievements.

During his opening remarks, Mujibul Cezanne Hasan said "As Bangladesh moves towards LDC graduation, we should consider business-viable and self-sustaining models that existing market players in the RMG sector can easily replicate."

Mohammad Sohel Sadat, Director, BGMEA, mentioned "We need to focus on sustainability and compliance as many challenges are emerging, particularly at the mid and upper management levels. Projects like Sarathi, PROGRESS, and BYETS are essential as they are supporting the sector in testing different models that are affordable and effective." 

Md. Akhter Hossain Apurbo, Vice President, BKMEA, emphasized the importance of upholding factory standards and green transition. He said "Providing a good working environment increases productivity for the RMG workers. Alongside we must improve our mid-management and update technology to better monitor footprints in green energy and reduce carbon emissions."

Dr. Rajesh Bheda of RBC shared his firsthand experiences with women taking leadership in the RMG sector and the numerous successful cases that he witnessed. He said that many factories demonstrated women coming from villages and entering into factories and within 45 days she can perform like an experienced worker operating new technologies. He said that "Bangladeshi women are capable of operating any kind of machinery with proper training and enabling environment. This is based on our experience and needs to be shared widely."

The event underscored the industry's enthusiasm for deeper collaborations between the private and development sectors to build a sustainable RMG skills development ecosystem. In his closing remarks, Fazle Razik, Head of Programme at Swisscontact Bangladesh, said, "We try to create a solution that generates sustainable, durable, and scalable impact. Creating such a solution requires all kinds of stakeholders' contribution with their unique efforts." 

Over the last twenty years, Swisscontact Bangladesh has supported nearly 250,000 young people, half of whom are women, through a total of 11 completed and ongoing projects focused on skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship. In addition, Swisscontact Bangladesh maintains active partnerships with more than 50 private training providers. These collaborations aim to enhance curriculum quality, improve training delivery methods, strengthen trainers' skills, and establish strong ties with industries to ensure optimal job placements for trainees.

Swisscontact Bangladesh is dedicated to upholding high industry standards in its skill development programs. By promoting innovation and enhancing competitiveness, the organization aims to create effective training programs at entry, mid, and vocational levels that meet the dynamic needs of different industries.

Swisscontact is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable economic and social development. With a presence in Bangladesh since the 1970s, Swisscontact currently implements a number of projects across 52 districts, focusing on agriculture, climate change, WASH, community engagement, economic development, skills development, and financial inclusion. Established in 1959, Swisscontact has been a driving force in sustainable development globally and continues to impact over 170,000 individuals annually in Bangladesh alone.