Current Situation and Suggestions for Bangladeshi TVET Graduates – An observation and recommendation by me

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is an important way for people in Bangladesh to get jobs and move up the social and economic ladder. But there are problems with how many people enroll in TVET programs, how many stay in them, how many finish, and how many get jobs. The goal of this piece is to look at how things are now and make suggestions for how to improve the quality and usefulness of TVET programs and the job prospects for graduates in the country.

Enrollment, Staying in School, and Graduation:

Enrollment:

Over the years, the number of people in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) schools in Bangladesh has gone up by a lot. In 2009, there were 476 thousand kids in TVET (grades 9 to 12). In 2018, there were 1.07 million. Even though enrollment is going up, the desire for different trades and technologies is still different. Because of this, some places in TVET schools are left empty.

Retention:

The high number of students who drop out is one of the things that worries TVET schools. Several students drop out of the course between the time they sign up and the final test. The average throughput rate (TPR) of TVET institutions is affected by the number of people who drop out. The TPR is a key measure of how well a course is finished, and its current average of 66% shows that more than a third of students do not finish their courses properly. To keep more students in TVET schools, we need to deal with the things that contribute to the high dropout rate.

Finishing:

For graduates to be skilled and employable, they must finish a TVET course properly. But a lot of students have trouble finishing the final exams. The low TPR, which can be as low as 39%, shows that more needs to be done to help students and make it more likely that they will finish the programs they selected. It is important to find out why people aren’t finishing school, such as through teaching methods, the effectiveness of the program, and student support systems.

Teachers have noticed that some students don’t have the basic information they need to understand engineering concepts and other technical subjects. This problem hurts the standard of teaching in the classroom and makes it harder for students to learn in general. To solve this problem, you need to put in place corrective steps and improve students’ basic education before they start their TVET courses.

Recommendations:

1. Improve Course Relevance: To deal with the problem of empty seats and get more people to sign up, TVET schools should do market research and find out what the industry needs. Using this knowledge, they can change and add courses that meet the needs of the job market right now.
2. Increase assistance for students: Putting in place academic support programs, counseling services, and mentoring can make a big difference in lowering dropout rates. If you can figure out which students are having trouble and give them specific help, they are more likely to pass their classes.
3. Curriculum Upgrading: TVET schools should keep their curricula up to date to keep up with the changing needs of businesses and new technologies. A curriculum that is current and up to date will help students learn practical skills that employers want.
4. Strengthen Foundation Programs: Starting pre-course foundation programs can help close the knowledge gap between students and better prepare them for technical classes. These programs can teach important topics like English, math, and science.
5. Industry Partnerships: Urge TVET schools to work with businesses and companies to form partnerships. Students will learn real skills and be more likely to get jobs if they get training in the workplace and are exposed to new technologies.
6. Quality Teaching: Invest in teachers’ professional development so they can improve how they teach and the quality of classroom education as a whole.
7. Student-Centered Approach: Use student-centered approaches that put the wants and goals of each student first. Giving students flexible paths and chances to explore their hobbies can make them more interested and motivated.

By following these suggestions, TVET schools in Bangladesh can see big increases in the number of students who enroll, stay in school, and graduate. Creating a skilled and competent population will help the country’s social and economic growth and give TVET graduates a better future.

Differences between men and women in enrollment and graduation:

Even though more people are enrolling in TVET in Bangladesh as a whole, there is a big difference between men and women in the field. Only 12% of certificate students are women, which is a very low number. This difference makes me worry that women don’t have as many chances or access to technical and vocational schooling.

There are many reasons why women don’t enroll in TVET, such as social norms, national beliefs, and traditional gender roles. Because of these things, girls are often less likely to go into technical fields, so there are more boys than girls in TVET schools.

Differences in Completion by Gender:

Because there aren’t many women in school, there aren’t many women who graduate from TVET schools. Studies of people who had graduated from TVET showed that less than 13% of them were women. This difference in completion rates shows that female students face more problems that make it harder for them to finish TVET classes.

The lack of support and encouragement for girls to go into technical school is one of the biggest problems they face. Expectations from society and biases based on gender may make women less likely to continue their studies in TVET and choose professional careers. Also, poor facilities, worries about safety, and limited access to resources can make it harder for female students to finish their classes.

Addressing Gender Disparities:

Promoting gender diversity in TVET is important if Bangladesh wants to grow and progress in a way that is fair for everyone. To fix the differences between men and women in enrollment and graduation, the following steps should be thought about:

1. Campaigns to raise awareness: Run targeted campaigns to fight gender stereotypes and show how important it is for women to work in technical areas. These campaigns can be aimed at both students and their parents to encourage girls to think about TVET as a possible and rewarding job path.
2. Scholarships and financial support: Give scholarships and other financial rewards to female students that are designed to make getting a technical education less expensive. With financial help, one of the biggest things that keeps girls from enrolling in and finishing TVET classes can be taken care of.
3. Safe and Inclusive Environment: Make sure that TVET schools give female students a safe and inclusive place to learn. Putting in place things like separate and secure facilities and transportation can give female students more confidence and make them feel safe and encouraged.
4. Gender Sensitization for Teachers and Staff: Give teachers and staff training and classes to make them aware of bias and discrimination based on gender. Using a teaching method that takes gender into account will help all students feel welcome in the classroom.
5. Mentorship and Support Programs: Set up mentoring and support programs to help and guide female students as they go through TVET. Mentors can help female students deal with any problems they may face by giving them support, advice, and help.
6. Female Role Models: Show successful women who have done well in technical areas as role models. Putting the spotlight on their accomplishments can encourage and inspire young girls to take TVET classes with confidence.

Bangladesh can take advantage of the huge potential of its women by trying to close the gender gap in TVET enrollment and completion. Giving women technical skills and education will not only help bring about gender equality, but it will also help the economy grow and improve as a whole.

Employment Outcome:

The jobs that TVET graduates in Bangladesh get depend on their level of schooling and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected them. Even though the pandemic has made the job market difficult, TVET diploma graduates have been able to find jobs that are mostly acceptable.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, around 39% of TVET diploma holders found jobs. During a time of economic uncertainty and a job market problem, this is a very impressive accomplishment.

But the job rates for SSC (voc) and HSC (voc) graduates have been lower than for other grads. Only about 11% of SSC (vocational) grads and 23% of HSC (vocational) graduates who took part in the studies have jobs. The lower rates of employment for these grads may be due to a number of things, such as the effects of the pandemic, the need to learn more skills, and competition in the job market.

It’s important to remember that a large number of SSC (voc) and HSC (voc) pupils are going to college instead of getting a job right away. This choice could be affected by the fact that they want to improve their skills and abilities so they can get a better job in the future.

To help SSC (vocational) and HSC (vocational) graduates find jobs, it is important to create more jobs that match their skills and abilities. The public sector can make a big difference in this area by hiring people with qualifications from TVET schools and putting an emphasis on those qualifications. This would make public sector employers more likely to value and give priority to TVET graduates, which would lead to more job possibilities for them.

Also, making ongoing attempts to improve the connections between TVET schools and businesses can help graduates find jobs. By making sure the curriculum matches the needs of the job market and teaching skills that are useful in the workplace, graduates of TVET will be better able to meet companies’ needs and find jobs.

Overall, TVET certificate graduates have done well in finding jobs, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, SSC (vocational) and HSC (vocational) graduates have a harder time finding work, and this needs to be fixed. We can improve the job prospects and career opportunities for all TVET graduates in Bangladesh by focusing on developing relevant skills, encouraging support from the public sector, and strengthening relationships with the business world.

College or university:

Higher education is a very important part of the goals of Bangladeshi TVET grads. As soon as they finish their vocational and technical education, many of these people go on to college to improve their social status and get better jobs that pay more. Getting a better degree seems to have a lot of benefits, so it makes sense that people want to get one.

But it’s important to find a balance between promoting higher education and keeping true to the main goals of TVET, which are developing skills and making jobs available. Higher education can help you specialize and move up in your job, but it shouldn’t take away from the importance of the practical skills and technical knowledge you learn in TVET programs.

TVET schools should stress how important skilled labor is and how it directly helps the country’s economy grow and its industries grow. By training skilled workers, TVET graduates can work in a wide range of fields and meet the urgent needs of the job market.

Also, it is important to give graduates of TVET who want to go to college the help and advice they need. In career counseling, you should talk about the different things you can do after TVET, such as more schooling or vocational training classes. So, students can make smart choices about their future careers based on their hobbies, skills, and what the job market needs right now.

Also, strong relationships between TVET schools and colleges and universities can help graduates of TVET schools make a smooth transition. These partnerships can make it easy for people who have finished a TVET program to continue their education without having to take the same classes again.

Even though college opens up many doors, it shouldn’t be seen as the only way to be successful. A more fair and inclusive society can be made by promoting a culture that values skilled work and the efforts of TVET graduates. The government and other important people should work together to make an environment that values both practical education and higher education. This will help meet the different needs of Bangladesh’s workforce. By doing this, the country can use its people to their fullest capacity and achieve long-term economic growth and development.

NEET

The problem of TVET grads in Bangladesh who are not in school, work, or training (NEET) is a serious one. Different TVET schools have different NEET rates, which range from 16% to 61%. NEET stands for people who are not in school, work, or training at the moment. This can lead to a number of social and economic problems.

To solve this problem, it is important to know why TVET graduates are not working, in school, or looking for work. Some of the most common reasons why people are not in school, working, or in the military are that there aren’t enough jobs, they can’t afford college, or there aren’t any training programs that match what the job market needs.

One of the best ways to lower the number of TVET graduates who are not in school, working, or training is to make it easier for them to go to college and give them more chances to learn new skills. This method can help recent college graduates get more skills and qualifications, making them more attractive to possible employers.

Also, making more vocational and technical training classes that meet the needs of specific industries can help TVET graduates get jobs. By making sure the program matches the needs of the market, graduates can learn skills that are in demand and find jobs more easily.

Promoting entrepreneurship and self-employment can also help reduce the number of TVET grads who are not working or in school. Encouragement of graduates to start their own businesses or try their hand at entrepreneurship can help the economy grow and create jobs.

To reach these goals, it is important for TVET schools, government agencies, organizations in the private sector, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to work together. When these groups work together, they can find areas of need, make targeted training programs, and get the resources and help they need to deal with the NEET problem successfully.

Investing in career counseling and guidance services for TVET graduates can also be a very important part of how they choose a path. By helping them learn about different paths, like higher education, vocational training, and starting their own business, graduates can make decisions that match their interests and goals.

By focusing on lowering the number of TVET grads who don’t work or go to school, Bangladesh can make the most of its young people, promote growth that benefits everyone, and create a skilled and competitive workforce. In the end, doing something about NEET is important for the country’s economic growth and social progress.

Money and Getting Ahead in Your Career:

There is a clear trend to how much money TVET graduates in Bangladesh make and how far they get in their careers. SSC (voc) graduates usually start out with a smaller salary than those with other types of degrees. But their chances of making more money get much better as they gain more experience, get more training, and improve their skills.

One of the main reasons why SSC (voc) graduates start out with a lower pay is the amount of practical skills and hands-on knowledge they have. Employers often hire people based on their practical experience and related technical skills. Because of this, new graduates may start at a lower pay range. Still, as these grads gain experience on the job and get more training, they become more valuable on the job market.

SSC (voc) graduates can make more money by getting more training, either through programs offered by their employers or through classes they sign up for on their own. Many employers know how important it is to train their employees to learn new skills and spend in training to make their workers more productive and efficient.

As SSC (Voc) graduates gain experience and show that they are good at what they do, they become available for promotions and pay raises. Their income can go up quickly, especially if they keep looking for chances for advanced training and professional growth.

To raise the range of salaries for SSC (voc) graduates even more, it is important to focus on making TVET classes better and more useful. Emphasizing industry-specific skills and new technologies can help grads meet the needs of the job market, which can lead to better pay packages.

Also, encouraging collaboration between TVET institutes and businesses can lead to internships and apprenticeships, which give students useful experience in the real world. This experience not only makes them more likely to get jobs, but it also makes it more likely that they will get jobs that pay more when they graduate.

In conclusion, TVET graduates, especially SSC (voc) graduates, may start out with a lower salary, but with time, experience, and ongoing efforts to improve their skills, their income and job progression can improve by a lot. By putting an emphasis on training that is relevant to the industry and encouraging partnerships between schools and businesses, we can improve the income prospects of TVET graduates and build a skilled and resilient workforce for the future of the country.

Recommendations:

1. Increase the number of people who sign up and the number who finish by improving basic knowledge and offering competency-based training. Help students who are having trouble and encourage relationships with businesses to make training useful.
2. Promote gender diversity by making rules to get more women into school and help women who work in non-traditional jobs. Make it easy for female graduates to get access to TVET and chances to improve their skills.
3. Improve Career Counseling and Industry Involvement: Put more emphasis on developing real skills, offer more industrial tours, and improve career counseling to make sure that graduates’ skills match up with what the industry needs.
4. Address the Student-Teacher Ratio: Lower the number of students per teacher to improve the level of TVET and make sure students learn well.
5. Help TVET graduates get jobs by encouraging the public and private sectors to hire TVET graduates and using marketing efforts to promote the competency standards of different courses.
6. Give People Chances to Go to College: Give TVET graduates more choices and chances to go to college while focusing on skill development and employability.
   The current situation of TVET grads in Bangladesh is hopeful, but there are still problems with enrollment, finishing, and getting jobs. By taking the suggested steps, the TVET system can be improved, giving people better chances for social and economic growth and helping the country as a whole grow and develop.