BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said skills development including reskilling and upskilling were imperative to sustain the industry’s competitiveness in the fourth industrial revolution era (4IR).
Honorable Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, MP wuth BGMEA President at SEIP programm
Rapid advances in technologies led to a rise in demand for workers and professionals who were skilled enough to operate advanced machinery and conduct complex and sophisticated production processes, he said.
“While automation in the industry will pose new challenges, it will also increase productivity and competitiveness. We need to reap the benefits of industry 4.0 through skills development,” he remarked while delivering his speech at a program organized to give certificates to the mid-level managers of garment factories who have completed postgraduate diploma courses in different trades.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, MP attended the program as chief guest and handed over the certificates to those who had completed the courses.
The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) in collaboration with BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT) has launched diploma courses for mid-level managers and employees of garment factories to develop their professional skills.
Chairman of BUFT Board of Trustees Md. Shafiul Islam, MP, BUFT Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. S.M. Mahfuzur Rahman, Pro-VC Professor Dr. Engr. Ayub Nabi Khan, Vice Chairman of EPB A. H. M. Ahsan, and Additional Secretary at the Commerce Ministry Abdur Rahim were present at the program.
Mohammed Nasir, former Vice President (Finance) of BGMEA, and BUFT Trustee Board Member; Moshiul Azam Shajal, former Vice President of BGMEA, and BUFT Trustee Board Member; and Abdullah Hil Rakib, Director of BGMEA, and BUFT Trustee Board Member were also present at the certificate giving ceremony.
In his speech, Faruque Hassan said, “As we are preparing for the next growth phase, we have to enhance our business capabilities using the latest technologies that make production more efficient and faster.”
He said though there was a perception that automation would result in the loss of many jobs, new jobs would emerge through the adoption of technologies.
“What we need is market-oriented skills training to turn challenges into opportunities,” the BGMEA President added.
