Building Skills for Unemployed and Underemployed Labour (B-SkillFUL)

Project completed

50,000 poor and disadvantaged men and women will improve their skills and out of them at least 70% will be gainfully employed. The resulting increase in their incomes will contribute to their better well-being and overall poverty alleviation. The employment conditions of workers in the informal sector will be improved through partnerships between the Informal Sector Industry Skills Council, enterprises and training service providers.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Bangladesh
Employment & economic development
Vocational training
SME development
Vocational training
Business support & economic inclusion
01.11.2015 - 29.02.2020
CHF  4’650’000
Background

While Bangladesh has made significant progress towards achieving its MDG targets, income inequality remains high, underpinned by unequal access and lack of economic opportunities. Moreover, the country has achieved lower middle-income status, and aims to attain upper middle-income status by 2021. While the country may continue to grow economically, there is little guarantee that this growth will improve the well-being of the poor and disadvantaged.

Objectives

At least 35’000 poor and disadvantaged men and women improve their well-being (income, health) due to better access to the labour market, while their fundamental rights at work are safeguarded.

Target groups

The project will train at least 50’000 men and women in market relevant skills. Among these at least 55% will be women, 90% will be poor, and out of them 60% disadvantaged. Of those receiving training, at least 70% will be placed in gainful self- or wage employment.

Medium-term outcomes
  1. Poor and disadvantaged men and women have gainful wage/self-employment.
  2. Private sector enterprises (in 8-10 districts of Bangladesh) provide workplace-based training, while respecting the fundamental labour rights of the trainees and graduates.
  3. Informal private enterprises and graduates are aware about labour rights and obligations.
Results

Expected results:  

  1. 50’0000 poor and disadvantaged men and women are provided with skills trainings, counselling and soft and business skills.
  2. The private Training Service Providers have the capacity to deliver market-oriented, inclusive skills training.
  3. The Training Service Providers collaborate with private informal sector enterprises to provide work-place based training.
  4. Graduates and Training Service Providers have access to financial institutions for establishing respectively improving their businesses
  5. The Informal Sector ISC promotes LRDW with informal enterprises and trainees and ensures its mainstreaming in standard development.


Results from previous phases:  

n/a


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Development cooperation
Project partners Contract partner
Swiss Non-profit Organisation
  • Swisscontact


Other partners

N/a

Coordination with other projects and actors

Skills Employment Investment Programme funded by SDC and ADB.

Sudokko Project funded by SDC and DFID

Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    4’650’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    4’434’111
Project phases Phase 2 01.09.2020 - 31.08.2024   (Current phase)

Phase 1 01.11.2015 - 29.02.2020   (Completed)