Public–private partnership launched to boost skills and jobs: KOICA, BMET

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Korea's leading development cooperation agency, has institutionalised a comprehensive public–private partnership (PPP) with the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) under the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment (MoEWOE), 13 large enterprises, 10 small and medium enterprises (SMEs), one association, and the Bangladesh Engineering Industry Owners Association (BEIOA).

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 28 September 2025 at the InterContinental Dhaka. The agreement is part of the multi-year "Better Employment with Competency-Based Skills Training (BEST)" project (2018–2028, USD8.5 million), aimed at aligning vocational training with industrial demand through industry–academia cooperation. Many of the signatories are major suppliers to multinational corporations in Bangladesh, strengthening industrial linkages.

KOICA's technical assistance through the BEST project has introduced a systematic loop — reflecting corporate demand in curricula, training skilled personnel, and linking them to employment. This approach is designed to bridge the skills gap and enhance youth employability.

A milestone achievement under this initiative is the Training-of-Trainers (TOT) programme, which has enabled Bangladeshi vocational trainers, for the first time, to officially obtain National Technical and Vocational Qualification Framework (NTVQF) Level 3–4 certification. This national recognition institutionalises the capacity of Technical Training Centres (TTCs) to produce high-quality, industry-ready human capital.

Under the MoU, private sector partners have committed to provide TTC trainees with tailored training programmes, structured internships, curriculum feedback, and priority hiring pathways.

Mr Jihoon Kim, Country Director of KOICA Bangladesh, said: "This partnership is a practical, scalable cooperation model jointly developed by KOICA, the Bangladeshi government, and the private sector. By focusing on NTVQF certification and direct employment pathways, we are not just strengthening TTCs; we are advancing Korea–Bangladesh industrial collaboration and ensuring a dynamic workforce for the 21st century."

The Director General of BMET expressed gratitude to the industry partners and urged KOICA to intensify its efforts on skills development in Bangladesh. The Senior Secretary of MoEWOE said: "This landmark MoU signifies a major policy commitment. By ensuring trainees gain practical competencies through direct industrial exposure, we are strategically aligning our national skill base with global labour market demands. This initiative will build a sustainable, skilled talent pool for local industries and a globally competitive workforce whose eventual return from overseas will fuel long-term economic growth."

Founded in 1991, KOICA is Korea's leading development cooperation agency, supporting economic and social development in partner countries through country-specific projects, human resources development and public–private partnerships.