National Skills Dialogue calls for shift from labour export to skill export

The National Skills Dialogue 2026 was held on January 27, 2026, at a hotel in Banani, bringing together leaders from education, training, policy and workforce development to discuss Bangladesh’s national vision on skills, employment and workforce readiness.

The dialogue stressed the need for Bangladesh to move from labour export to skill export, says a press release.

Speakers said Bangladesh must become a skill-exporting nation capable of competing globally through productivity, professionalism and certified competencies. They emphasised that skills should be treated as a national asset and long-term investment rather than a sectoral issue.

The session was chaired by K M Hasan Ripon, president of the Trainers’ Association of Bangladesh, who said skills are the currency of the future and the country must prepare young people for adaptability and global competitiveness.

Yousuf Efti, founder and executive vice president of the Trainers’ Association of Bangladesh, said Bangladesh needs an independent and future-focused human resource development framework. He warned that without coordinated national workforce planning and skills governance, the gap between education outcomes and labour market demand would continue.

Md Sabur Khan, president of the Association of Private Universities of Bangladesh, said universities must move beyond degree-centric models and integrate employability, industry exposure and skills development into academic pathways. He said higher education must align with national workforce priorities to ensure graduates are job-ready and globally competitive.

The dialogue was attended by vice-chancellors, academics, trainers, industry leaders and political representatives. Participants called for sustained, non-partisan commitment to building a skilled, employment-ready and future-focused Bangladesh.