Innovations

By incorporating soft skills in curricula along with the technical skills improved job readiness of trained graduates. They were not only taught but applied in the workplace and became day-to-day practice. One of the Qualitative Reflection Session (QRS) studies of Sudokkho revealed that job seekers had better communication and leadership skills, decision making, self-motivation, time management, and worked under pressure at workplace. Integrating soft skills into the technical skills in the curricula was further appreciated during impact assessment at the end of project. The employers also had a high demand for Suddokkho trainees for Sudokkho both in RMG and construction sector who not only were skilled but could also reflect on their appropriate behavior at the workplace while following rules and regulations and ensuring their own safety following the norms and etiquettes of the workplace.

Project ensured that such skills of trainees really increased by i) integrating soft skills into the Competency Skills Log Book (CSLB) where each trainee documented the learning, ii) providing technical back stopping to PTPs, iii) monitoring of PTPs by the project officials and interaction with the instructors and trainees to check progress on learning of soft skills, and iv) orientating trainees from the industry personnel about the industry work environment. It works best when all staff of the training centers are sensitised on soft skills while development of soft skills was not easy given the time constraint.

Sudokkho introduced a reward system specifically designed for stimulating PTPs to bring systemic changes in skills training market. Four categories of rewards were i) generation of fee from the trainees, ii) linkage with industry, iii) gets accreditation as RTO from BTEB, and iv) PTP receives training contract from industry to train and supply trained graduates on fee basis.

Sudokkho designed and implemented technical assistance package for strengthening the capacity of PTPs. The purpose for the implementation of quality standards was to i) improve the quality and relevance of the training; ii) improve operations and profitability of the PTPs; iii) improve the trust among PTPs (supply side), industries and potential trainees (demand side); and iv) improve sustainability of the PTPs.

The standards were adapted to the Bangladesh legal and regulatory environment to include the criteria for obtaining legal registration and for obtaining RTO accreditation from BTEB and/or the National Skills Development Authority. Seven quality standards, adapted to the Bangladeshi context, are organised at the right.

Quality standards are minimum requirements for the PTPs for operating their training business sustainably. It is suitable for those PTPs who have progressive management and willing to offer quality and relevant skills training catering to the needs of industry and individual, enhance employability of trainees and their productivity, and align training institute with accreditation requirements of the government.

Quality standards worked well for bigger PTPs who had progressive management while smaller enterprise having fewer permanent staff had difficulty to implement the standards. Duration for the implementation of quality standards remained critical due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the lasting change, sensitization and commitment of PTPs for long term investment in institutional capacity building is essential.

However, Sudokkho undertook a process to align its courses with BTEB at NTVQF Level-1. When Sudokkho started implementation of its training system, PTPs had no accreditation from BTEB and absence of systematic approach for the assessment of trainees. Therefore, Sudokkho introduced a Skills Assessment System Model, illustrated in the diagram below, which was being adopted by the partner PTPs. This provided a consistent approach for assessment of trainees across all PTPs.

All PTPs recognised value of assessment and certification system while some of the PTPs who were upgraded to accredited RPL assessment centres offered credible national level certificate alligned with NTVQF. PTP accredited as RPL assessment centre had opportunity to generate additional income for facilitating and contributing to the national level skills assessment and certification. 

Sudokkho identified PTPs who could cater to the demand of the local RMG industry better if they establish linkages with the RMG factories, and consequently deliver training based on the specific needs of the clients. This will not only ensure better employability of the PTP graduates but also enable the PTPs to promote their services more effectively. Sudokkho facilitated following steps for establishing sustainable linkages between RMG factories and PTPs:

i) Selection of appropriate PTPs for linkage

ii) Facilitation of selected PTPs to source and establish linkage with RMG factories

iii) Provision of capacity development support to the selected PTPs for enabling them to train on specific processes based on factory requirement

iv) Training Implementation

v) Supply of Trainees and Employment Tracking