Bangladesh stands at a pivotal moment in its transition to a greener economy, where the skills of its workforce will determine how effectively the country can respond to climate change and seize opportunities for sustainable growth. Recognising this urgency, Swisscontact Bangladesh, with support from the Australian High Commission, convened the Inception Workshop on Building Green Skills for a Sustainable Future. The workshop served as a dynamic platform for dialogue, bringing together private sector leaders, development practitioners, and industry experts to chart a way forward for integrating green skills into the country’s economic and development agenda.
The workshop began with welcome speech by Shahriar Islam, Senior Programme Manager (Strategic Partnerships Lead) at the Australian High Commission, who highlighted the critical role of green skills in supporting Bangladesh’s green transition. In his address, he emphasized that developing a workforce equipped with green skills is essential not only to address climate change challenges but also to create inclusive, climate-smart growth opportunities for the country.
Following the inaugural session, the event featured a keynote presentation and an engaging panel discussion moderated by Shaymal Barman, Green Skills and Energy Expert. The panel brought together distinguished voices including Shahriar Islam, Senior Programme Manager (Strategic Partnerships Lead), Australian High Commission; Aziza Sultana Mukti, Deputy CEO, SOLshare; Hasibul Mannan, Program Head, ACI Agribusiness; Mohammad Sohel, Director, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA); and Mostafa Al Mahmud, President, Bangladesh Sustainable and Renewable Energy Association (BSREA).
Throughout the workshop, speakers stressed that Bangladesh’s journey toward a greener economy depends on preparing its workforce to meet emerging environmental challenges and the growing demands of sustainability, yet significant gaps remain in training programs, industry engagement, and policy implementation. Panelists highlighted the urgent need for stronger private sector participation, closer alignment between training curricula and real industry demands, and more coherent policy frameworks to support sustainable practices across sectors. Mostafa Al Mahmud, President of the Bangladesh Sustainable and Renewable Energy Association (BSREA), noted, “The mismatch between what is taught in training institutions and what industries actually require is a critical obstacle that must be addressed if Bangladesh is to truly embrace a green economy.”
The workshop also featured interactive elements, including sector-wise group discussions, which encouraged participants to reflect on the state of green skills in Bangladesh and to identify sector-specific needs. These exchanges highlighted renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and circular economy practices as priority areas that demand immediate attention. The lively conversations revealed that while there is growing recognition of the importance of green skills, translating them into practical, market-relevant outcomes requires a stronger collaborative framework among government bodies, employers, and training providers.
The closing reflections of the workshop brought clarity to the next steps in this journey. The event generated a stronger understanding of green skills requirements in high-potential sectors and offered recommendations for bridging training gaps while enhancing public-private partnerships. It also underscored the need for a more coordinated policy framework that could support scaling up green skills initiatives nationwide.