Bangladesh Apparel Skills Foundation

Lead Partner: Tesco Stores Ltd.
Project Location: Bangladesh (Dhaka)

Project Description

Tesco Clothing have opened a training centre in Bangladesh which aims to equip the Bangladesh ready-made garment industry with training, expertise and tools to improve the conditions and pay of factory workers, at the same time as increasing productivity and efficiency.

The Bangladesh Apparel Skills Foundation, registered as ‘Solutions for Management International’ (S4Mi), is open to all garment producers in Bangladesh. It will train mid-to-lower level factory management teams in world-leading efficiency and productivity techniques that will help reduce working hours and increase wages by increasing productivity. The programme combines classroom training at the Dhaka-based training centre with factory floor instruction carried out by dedicated, local trainers.

In turn, this will provide a sustainable platform to help support the long-term competitiveness of Bangladesh as a sourcing destination.

How are RAGS funds used?

The project develops the curriculum, equips a training premises, establishes governance structures, and recruits and trains local employees to run and manage ‘Solutions for Management International’ going forward. Factory management teams will attend relevant modules on a day-release basis, with additional top-up tutorial sessions available from S4Mi employees. Once fully established, it will operate as a locally-owned, self-funding enterprise.

Expected benefits from the project are described below:

• An increase in the productivity and efficiency of Bangladesh RMG factories that make use of the training centre.
• Factories making use of the S4Mi will be required to share cost savings with the workforce in the form of reduced overtime and increased basic wages.
• Improved production and technical skills of students attending S4Mi will raise the general level of expertise of Bangladeshi factory management as they implement international best practice standards. In turn, this will contribute to ensuring the sustainability of the Bangladesh RMG sector.
• Improved people management and leadership skills will lead to a more empowered, professional workforce, and will give those attending courses decision-making skills that can be used both inside and outside of the workplace.
• Factory floor workers will also benefit from up-skilled management and more stable human relations.