August 19, 2014 – Calgary, Alberta
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Good morning/afternoon,
Thank you all for coming.
It’s good to be back in Calgary.
I am here to speak to you about an exciting new skills training program in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is one of the world’s most densely populated countries. With approximately 156 million people (2013) living in a country about twice the size of New Brunswick, the resulting population pressures are huge. 34 percent of the populace is under the age of 15.
Add to this the vulnerability of Bangladesh to natural disasters, such as cyclones and severe flooding, and you can begin to understand why building the economy so the low-income population can transition out of poverty is both crucial and challenging.
Bangladesh was recently confirmed as a country of focus for Canada’s international development efforts. This country was chosen based on its level of need and its ability to use development assistance wisely, and on Canada's capacity to make a difference. Bangladesh has been one of Canada's largest development assistance recipients for the last four decades.
As part of its sustainable economic growth strategy for international development, Canada believes in the importance of investing in skills training.
Therefore, on behalf of the Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, Christian Paradis, it is my pleasure today to announce that Canada is contributing $19.8 million over three years to the Skills Training and Enhancement Project with the World Bank to create a better-trained and qualified workforce in Bangladesh. This project will provide men, women, and youth in Bangladesh the opportunity to earn a better living by obtaining essential skills and knowledge from quality, market-oriented skills training and education programs.
The project is being carried out in cooperation with the Government of Bangladesh, which also places a high priority on training that will qualify men, women and youth to work in high-demand areas of the economy where they are most likely to find employment.
It promotes the development of technical and vocational education and training programs to meet the needs of businesses by increasing the number of students enrolled in tailor-made education and training programs.
The World Bank has been a long-time partner for Canada and will work with the Bangladesh ministry of education to strengthen the knowledge and skills of key government bodies—the ones that oversee curriculum development, certification and quality assurance.
It will also work to improve the quality and relevance of skills training in public and private training institutions.
And it will find ways to better link schools and training institutions, businesses, and the Government of Bangladesh, to improve the educational opportunities available to the workforce.
I am very pleased to know that because of Canada’s contribution, more students and trainees from disadvantaged situations in Bangladesh will be able to obtain the skills they need to transition themselves and their families to a healthier and more prosperous future.
Thank you.
I welcome any questions you may have.
