This paper reports on recent research into enterprise skill profiles and workplace training practices in the Bangladesh manufacturing industry. The article presents survey and interview data for 37 enterprises across eight manufacturing sectors collected during a study for the International Labour Organisation. The research analysed enterprise and sectoral skill intensity and identified key skill issues so as to prioritise sectors for project-based investments in workplace training and industry skill development at a time of significant reform to the TVET and skills development system in Bangladesh. The paper highlights the significant challenges facing manufacturing enterprises in a country where years of neglect have seriously undermined the ability of the education and training system to deliver the skills required by industry, particularly at a time of significant expansion. The research also illustrates the difficulties of using generalised approaches to classifying and comparing skills at the enterprise and sectoral levels. Whilst the concept of skill intensity and the use of occupational classifications are appealing, their potential relevance to sector and cross-sector assessments and comparisons of skill levels is found to be limited, particularly in developing countries. © 2013 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
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