The “Vocational Training in the Field of Renewable Energy (TVET4RE)” project is a targeted initiative designed to align Bangladesh’s technical and vocational education and training system with the emerging sustainable energy sector. Commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) with a value of 5 million Euro, the project is implemented by GIZ in cooperation with the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. The primary partner ministry is the Technical and Madrasah Education Division under the Ministry of Education, with the Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) and the Bangladesh Technical Education Board (BTEB) serving as the lead executing agencies. The project operates across Bangladesh with a duration spanning from 2025 to 2028.
Project Background and Market Context
Bangladesh has established ambitious national targets to expand its renewable energy capabilities as a core component of its sustainable development agenda. However, the sector is currently constrained by a significant shortage of qualified technicians and skilled professionals.
The existing TVET system faces limited capacity to deliver training that adequately meets the demands of the labor market, and active involvement from the private sector remains critically low. Without a properly trained workforce, the country’s ability to expand renewable energy solutions and achieve national energy targets is severely hindered. Strengthening the TVET infrastructure to directly address the needs of the renewable energy sector is therefore essential to advance the country’s green transition, improve employment prospects, and secure inclusive economic growth. The project directly contributes to Sustainable Development Goals 4 (quality education), 5 (gender equality), 7 (clean energy), and 13 (climate action).
Core Objectives and Strategic Approach
The overarching objective of the TVET4RE project is to ensure that the Bangladeshi TVET system is strongly geared towards the needs of the emerging labor market in the sustainable energy sector.
The project’s approach is centered on establishing an institutionalized dialogue between public TVET actors and the private sector. This collaboration aims to create a reliable information base for planning and adapting vocational training to actual labor market needs through joint labor market analyses, surveys, and tracer studies, complemented by digital solutions for efficient data management.
Key strategic approaches include:
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Capacity Development: Initiatives take place at multiple levels to equip teachers, trainers, policymakers, and private sector experts with the competencies required to drive systemic change.
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Curriculum Modernization: New and revised curricula at secondary (SSC-Voc), higher secondary (HSC-Voc), and diploma levels are being developed to integrate theoretical knowledge and practical skills related to sustainable energy.
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Practice-Oriented Learning: The project supports workplace learning opportunities, formalizing internship models, apprenticeships, and company placements to strengthen labor market relevance and foster closer engagement between public institutions and industry.
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Gender-Responsive Integration: A gender-responsive lens is applied throughout the project to ensure women and young people are better represented in technical education and employment. Societal campaigns are utilized to raise awareness of vocational training and career opportunities in sustainable energy, with a specific focus on women.
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Enhanced Career Pathways: By promoting permeability across different training levels and piloting courses both in and beyond urban centers, the project aims to reduce inequality and position TVET as a driver of inclusive development.
Expected Results
The TVET4RE project outlines six primary expected outcomes to be achieved by 2028:
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A minimum of 2000 students and graduates will be reached by gender-responsive information and awareness-raising campaigns highlighting career opportunities in the sustainable energy field.
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A functional mechanism will be established to collect and analyze sectoral labor market information, enabling data-driven decision-making within the TVET sector.
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A formalized cooperation format will be implemented between government, private sector, and civil society stakeholders to jointly design and govern TVET programs for sustainable energy.
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TVET stakeholders will actively participate in capacity development measures, equipping them with competencies in strategy development, project management, and managing the green transition.
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New and existing curricula for SSC-Voc, HSC-Voc, and diploma-level programs will be developed and adapted to cover relevant technologies for the sustainable energy sector.
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Structured formats for private sector involvement and the formalization of apprenticeship models will be established, strengthening practical training, enhancing graduate employability, and facilitating a smoother transition from training to the workforce.
Strategic Perspective
Integrating sustainable energy frameworks into our national vocational training infrastructure requires more than just updated curricula, it demands a fundamental shift in how we connect human capital with emerging industrial needs. Having worked extensively in labor and workforce development since my initial engagement with the International Labour Organization in October 2009, I view the TVET4RE project as a critical intervention for Bangladesh’s economic trajectory.
Operating here in Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong Division, I see firsthand the localized impacts of climate change and the urgent need for a resilient, green economy. Regional networks, such as the Cox’s Bazar Skill Network (CSN), are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between national policy and local implementation. The TVET4RE project’s focus on decentralized, practice-oriented learning and piloting courses beyond urban centers is exactly what is needed to empower peripheral communities.
The emphasis on private sector involvement is perhaps the most vital component of this initiative. Historically, vocational training in Bangladesh has operated in a silo, detached from the immediate technological requirements of the industries it aims to serve. By establishing an institutionalized dialogue and formalizing apprenticeship models, the project addresses the core friction point in our labor market, the mismatch between graduate skills and employer expectations. Furthermore, the commitment to reaching 2000 students through gender-responsive campaigns is a necessary step toward equitable workforce development. True sustainable development in the renewable sector can only be achieved when we dismantle the barriers that have traditionally kept women out of technical and engineering roles.
The successful implementation of this 5 million Euro initiative will serve as a blueprint for modernizing our entire educational framework, ensuring our workforce is prepared not just for the jobs of today, but for the sustainable energy landscape of tomorrow.
