As the government of Bangladesh attempts to attain its vision of becoming a “smart” country by 2041, it is essential to recognize the significance of skilled human resources in achieving this target.
Human capital is the backbone of any nation's development, and Bangladesh must prioritize investing in its people in order to create a prosperous country.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is currently gaining prominence and the government should focus on the country's people being educated and trained in technical and technological fields to keep up with the world's ongoing transformation.
Various technological advancements and the rise of the industrial economy have brought about revolutionary changes in the global economic, political, and social structure. Currently, the global value of technical expertise is readily apparent.
It is not possible to exaggerate the significance of competent human resources. The building and sustaining of economic growth, the improvement of social welfare, and the promotion of sustainable development all require skilled workers.
Skilled workers can adapt to economic changes, innovate, and create new growth opportunities. In addition, they are essential for assuring the quality of services and products, which can have a significant impact on a nation's reputation and global competitiveness.
Bangladesh imports significantly more than it exports. Therefore, increasing (foreign) investment in the country and exporting human capital are the primary means of bolstering the economy.
Foreign investment will only increase if the government has sufficient resources and unskilled human resources does not encourage foreign investment.
In recent years, Bangladesh has made significant strides in developing its human resources –- access to education has increased, poverty has decreased, and healthcare has improved, resulting in a more educated and healthier population.
However, more needs to be done to ensure that the country's human resources have the skills and knowledge necessary to contribute to its development.
Education is necessary to produce competent human resources. In this regard, higher education institutions can play a significant role. Therefore, it is recommended to reorganize higher education to survive in the global marketplace.
In addition to the education system, various technical and online technical skills are creating various employment opportunities. Platforms like “Kishore Batayan” and “Shikshak Batayan” have been developed in collaboration with a2i (Aspire to Innovate) to make education easier.
The secret to developing competent human resources in Bangladesh is to invest in education and training. The government must increase its investment in education, particularly in technical and vocational education, in order to provide the workforce with the essential skills and knowledge.
Providing training and development opportunities for employees, the private sector can also play a significant role in developing competent human resources.
In addition, it is also essential to ensure that the education and training provided are pertinent to the requirements of the economy.
Bangladesh must prioritize the development of a skilled labour force in industries that have the potential to stimulate economic growth, such as information technology, manufacturing, and agriculture.
The government must collaborate with the private sector to determine the skills required for these industries -- and to develop education and training programs to meet these requirements.
In a nutshell, skilled human resources are essential to achieve the goal of Smart Bangladesh. The country must prioritize investing in its people, which requires increased investment in education and training, with a focus on developing a skilled workforce in sectors with the potential to drive economic development, and a commitment to ensuring that the education and training provided is pertinent to the requirements of the economy. By doing so, Bangladesh can create a more prosperous future for its citizens and achieve its vision of becoming a developed and smart country by 2041.
Md Ashikur Rahman and Anupom Sarker are freelance contributors and Postgraduate Students of Public Administration and Governance Studies.
