Bangladesh has taken a major step toward formalizing skills in its traditional handloom sector by validating competency standards and training accreditation documents for Tangail sari weaving under the country's National Qualifications Framework.

The National Skills Development Authority (NSDA) on Tuesday concluded a validation workshop for the “Tangail Sari Weaving (Level-2)” occupation, an initiative aimed at improving training quality, skills assessment and certification for workers in the informal sector.

Speaking at the closing session, NSDA Executive Chairman Nazneen Kausar Chowdhury said the authority is working to bring both modern and traditional labor-intensive occupations under the national skills development system.

She said implementation of the competency standards and course accreditation documents would enhance skills recognition, workforce development and employment opportunities for workers in the Tangail sari industry, one of Bangladesh’s most renowned traditional crafts.

Chowdhury noted that NSDA has developed or reviewed 85 competency standards and training curricula across various sectors over the past 10 months, including for heritage occupations such as Jamdani and Tangail sari weaving.

She added that NSDA’s tracking system has identified employment opportunities for nationally certified skilled workers in 58 countries.

According to the authority, around 70,000 certificate holders have secured jobs within Bangladesh, while more than 20,000 entrepreneurs have emerged through skills development programs.

To strengthen overseas employment prospects, NSDA is pursuing partnerships with institutions in Saudi Arabia, Japan and Australia on mutual recognition agreements, joint certification and language-based training.

It has also recently developed six country-specific competency standards targeting labor markets in South Korea, the United States, Japan, Singapore and Saudi Arabia.

Bangladesh Handloom Board Chairman Abu Ahmad Siddiqi described the new competency standards as a significant milestone for assessing and recognizing the capabilities of skilled weavers.

He said efforts are underway to register a handloom training institute in Tangail under NSDA and launch related accredited courses.

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