Insights into the Skill Development Issues of Management Jobs: A Study on RMG and Textile Sectors of Bangladesh

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to provide an insight into the skill development and training related issues of the management jobs of textile and garments sector of Bangladesh which includes the skills requirements, differences in the skills of domestic managers and expatriates, local training facilities and barriers companies confront while sending their staffs abroad for training. A qualitative research approach has been adopted in this study where data has been collected through 30 in-depth interviews based on convenient and snowball sampling. The findings indicate that certain skills of domestic managers are quite poor like English proficiency, presentation skills, leadership skills, decision making skills. The RMG and textile firms send their employees to Germany, China, UK, USA, Japan and other countries for training but they encounter barriers like visa issues, breach of contract by the employees etc. in this attempt. Government, RMG and textile industries and various trade bodies, educational and training institutions should step up to organize training, develop skill-oriented curriculum to eliminate the reasons of hiring expats. The outcome of this study can be a source material through which HR managers can identify the scarce managerial skills and devise training and skill development programs accordingly not only in Bangladesh, but also in similar developing countries.