A recent survey conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) reveals that more than 80% of workers in the country’s garment factories believe they require additional training to cope with the challenges presented by the fourth industrial revolution. The BIDS conducted the survey among 119 firms, including 72 of knit and 47 of woven industries, in four locations in Dhaka and Chattogram division.
During the presentation at the BIDS Research Almanac 2023, Rizwana Islam, a research associate at BIDS, emphasized the need for targeted training programs to address the industry’s skills deficiencies. While the garment sector faces minimal manpower shortages compared to other sectors, there is a notable lack of skilled personnel in managerial roles, quality control, and certain finishing operator positions. The survey also identified a mismatch between desired educational qualifications and the available workforce across various job categories. Islam recommended closer collaboration between enterprises and training providers, facilitating internships for trainees to gain practical experience and providing industries with skilled workers.